Leucothea a straightforward winner of Anoakia Stakes

ARCADIA, Calif. – Aside from Grade 1 appearances, Leucothea is having a fine season in California.

Leucothea won a $62,500 claimer for maidens by 14 1/2 lengths in her debut in the state at Del Mar on Aug. 15. After finishing last of eight in the Grade 1 Del Mar Debutante on Aug. 31, Leucothea unseated jockey Norberto Arroyo Jr. at the start of the Grade 1 Chandelier Stakes at Santa Anita on Sept. 27 and ran along the outside rail in the opening furlong, hitting two photographers who received medical treatment.

There was less drama in Sunday’s $78,351 Anoakia Stakes for 2-year-old fillies at six furlongs.

Ridden by Abel Cedillo, Leucothea took the lead at the start and was never bothered. She pulled clear to win by a convincing 8 1/2 lengths over 11-10 favorite Shedaresthedevil, finishing in 1:10.81 and returning $6.20 to win. Leucothea earned a Beyer Speed Figure of 83.

“She took the lead easy,” Cedillo said. “She doesn’t like it if you grab her. If you leave her alone, she does the job.”

Cedillo was aboard Leucothea for her win in a maiden claimer and the Del Mar Debutante.

Eclair (7-1) finished third, followed by Buyer’s Remorse, Pure Xena and Bella Renella. Eclair was purchased for $420,000 at the Fasig-Tipton Santa Anita 2-year-olds in-training sale in June.

Leucothea was bought for $40,000 at the 2018 Keeneland September Yearling Sale by trainer Peter Miller.

Owned by Miller’s Altamira Stable, SoCal Seven Racing, and Brian McGoldrick, Leucothea earned $46,800 for the win in the Anoakia. By Midshipman, Leucothea has won 2 of 5 starts and earned $67,682. Leucothea began her career with a troubled seventh in a maiden special weight race at Ellis Park on July 4 before she was sent to California.