Leggs Galore in front all the way in Fran's Valentine victory
ARCADIA, Calif. - Turf races, particularly those against California-bred fillies and mares, have defined the 2021 campaign of 4-year-old filly Leggs Galore.
Leggs Galore lost her first two starts on dirt, at Oaklawn Park in March and April 2020. In seven subsequent starts on turf, Leggs Galore has won six times, including her first start at a mile in Sunday’s $98,000 Fran’s Valentine Stakes for statebred fillies and mares at Santa Anita.
Leggs Galore ($6) took her customary position at the front, held an advantage of two lengths for much of the race, and repelled a late challenge from 3-5 favorite Warren’s Showtime to win by three-quarters of a length.
Ridden by Ricky Gonzalez, Leggs Galore was timed in 1:34.85 and earned a career-best Beyer Speed Figure of 94.
“The main thing was to get her to relax,” Gonzalez said. “Her speed is her main weapon and she got it done.
“When that other filly came to her, I was loaded.”
Leggs Galore set early fractions of 23 seconds for the opening quarter-mile and 46.77 for a half-mile. Warren’s Showtime closed from third in a field of four to be second on the turn.
“I thought Ricky won it on the first turn when he got the quarter in 23 and did it comfortably,” trainer Phil D’Amato said.
Warren’s Showtime, a four-time stakes winner, was favored on the basis of third-place finishes in her last two starts in one-mile turf races for fillies and mares – the Grade 2 Buena Vista Stakes on Feb. 20 and the Grade 2 Royal Heroine Stakes on April 3.
Jockey Juan Hernandez said Warren’s Showtime was “in the right spot,” but could not catch Leggs Galore.
“I made my move early at the three-eighths pole,” he said. “She kicked really well and made a good run. At the quarter-pole, I thought I had it, but that filly never stopped.”
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Pulpit Rider finished third, beaten 3 3/4 lengths. Kristi’s Tiger was last in the small field. Bella Vita and Lofty were withdrawn Sunday morning.
Leggs Galore, a 4-year-old filly by Bayern, races for owner and breeder Jack Sims. Leggs Galore has won 6 of 9 starts and has earned $322,708. Earlier this year, Leggs Galore won two six-furlong stakes for statebred fillies and mares – the Sunshine Millions Filly and Mare Turf Sprint on Jan. 16 and the Irish O’Brien Stakes on March 14.
Leggs Galore’s only loss on turf was a sixth-place finish as the 6-5 favorite in the Mizdirection Stakes against open company on April 17. Leggs Galore failed to set the pace and was not a factor in the stretch.