Lakerball surprises in Surfer Girl Stakes

ARCADIA, Calif. – Lakerball, the longest shot in a field of six and the only runner with a background of racing against claimers, scored a shocking win in Monday’s $100,345 Surfer Girl Stakes for 2-year-old fillies on turf at Santa Anita.

Lakerball ($69.60) led throughout the one-mile race, holding off a sustained threat from 7-2 Lady Prancealot to win by a head. Mario Gutierrez rode Lakerball, who finished in 1:35.23.

“We had a lot of faith in the filly and we thought we’d give her a chance,” trainer Doug O’Neill said. “That was impressive. When he called on her, she responded.”

The win is unlikely to lead to a start in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf at Churchill Downs on Nov. 2, O’Neill said, although Lady Prancealot will be considered for the race, trainer Richard Baltas said.

The disappointing runner was Summering, the 2-5 favorite who finished third by 1 1/2 lengths. The winner of the Del Mar Juvenile Fillies Turf on Sept. 3, Summering was third with an inside trip. She raced in traffic in early stretch and lugged in at times, according to jockey Drayden Van Dyke.

“She was leaning in on me,” Van Dyke said.

Summering was followed by Miss Bigly, Ladymidtown, and Candura in the small field.

Lakerball is the first stakes winner for the stallion Lakerville, a 10-year-old by Unusual Heat who stands in California. Lakerball has won 2 of 4 starts and earned $84,480. She won her second start in a $50,000 claiming race for California-bred maiden filliles at Del Mar on Aug. 8 in her first start for O’Neill. Lakerball made her debut for Baltas in July, finishing third before being transferred.

Lakerball races for Pappas Racing, Tom Roberts and Janie Buss’s Purple Rein Racing. Buss is part of the family that owns the Los Angeles Lakers. Her older sister, Jeanie Buss, is the team president.