Krikorian horses run 'Big,' sweep exacta in Golden State Juvenile Fillies
DEL MAR, Calif. - Friday’s $176,000 Golden State Juvenile Fillies could have been called George Krikorian’s Golden State Juvenile Fillies.
Big Switch and 8-5 favorite Big Novel – both bred and owned by Krikorian - finished first and second in the seven-furlong race for statebreds. Yes, Krikorian said he had the exacta, which paid $10.70 for $1.
The fillies are by Mr. Big, owned by Krikorian.
“It makes me feel proud,” Krikiorian said. “They were 1-2 against some pretty good competition. It’s exciting.
“They both look to have good futures.”
Big Switch, ridden for the first time by Irad Ortiz Jr., closed from fifth in a field of eight to win by 2 3/4 lengths over Big Novel, who was ridden by Joe Bravo. Big Switch was timed in 1:22.39, and earned a career-best Beyer Speed Figure of 80.
Ortiz said Big Switch’s ability made for an easier race.
“I didn’t do much,” Ortiz said. “The first time she ran, she got bumped coming out of the gate. She broke much better. She waited for me. When I asked her, she took off.”
The first two finishers are trained by John Sadler.
Vivacious Vanessa (3-1) closed well to finish third. She was supplemented for $25,000 to gain lifelong eligibility to stakes for statebreds.
Drizella finished fourth, followed by Madiha, Bold Choice, Vronsky Feint, and It’s Simple.
Big Switch is unbeaten in two starts, beginning with a win in a maiden special weight race for statebred fillies here on Aug. 20. Big Switch has earned $141,750.
Golden State Juvenile
Finneus had the most stakes experience of any of the 12 runners in Friday’s Golden State Juvenile. Under a well-timed ride from Joel Rosario, Finneus recorded his first stakes win in the seven-furlong race for 2-year-old statebreds.
Ridden for the first time by Rosario, Finneus ($10) closed with a wide rally to finish a half-length in front of Slow Down Andy, a second-time starter and the even-money favorite.
Finneus was timed in 1:23 and earned a career-best Beyer Speed Figure of 72.
“When I started moving, he felt pretty good,” Rosario said. “He’s a big horse and covers a lot of ground.”
Finneus was ninth and then eighth for the first half-mile as Billy’s Bet led through an opening quarter-mile of 22.15 seconds and Fast Draw Munnings led after a half-mile in 45.11. In the stretch, Fast Drew Munnings led narrowly over Slow Down Andy, with Finneus within a length.
Slow Down Andy won his debut last month at Santa Anita. He was close to the front throughout in a wide trip and could not hold off Finneus.
“He’s a nice horse,” jockey Mario Gutierrez said. “I was wide the whole way. I think the next time around he’ll be much better.”
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Fast Draw Munnings (11-1) held third, followed by Socal Red, Lmlooknformischief, Love Candy, I Know Cash Flow, Moose Mitchell, Liberty Forever, Joker Boy, Bandera Azteca and Billy’s Bet.
Finneus, who races for breeder Terry Lovingier, Amanda Navarro and Naseer Fusihuddin and trainer Walther Solis, won a maiden race for statebreds in June in his second start. He was later second in the Grade 2 Best Pal Stakes and Grade 1 Del Mar Futurity here during the summer meeting, but sixth in the Grade 1 American Pharoah Stakes at 1 1/16 miles on Oc. 1 in his only start around two turns.
Finneus has won 2 of 6 starts and earned $246,366.
Solis said Rosario’s timing was a boost for Finneus.
“Joel made a big difference,” Solis said. “I think he’s the right rider for this horse.”