Look Forward holds off late challenge by Artisma in Santa Ynez Stakes

ARCADIA, Calif. - It was only at the finish of Sunday’s $101,500 Santa Ynez Stakes that Look Forward appeared to be the winner. At least that was owner Paul Reddam’s perspective.

Look Forward stalked pacesetter Silent Law to the turn of the seven-furlong race for 3-year-old fillies before taking a one-length lead in the stretch. As soon as she reached the front, Look Forward, the 8-5 favorite, was challenged by 10-1 Artisma.

“I thought she was done,” Reddam said “I thought, Oh, no.’ ”

Look Forward maintained a narrow lead and won by a head over Artisma, finishing seven furlongs in 1:25.42. Look Forward earned a 74 Beyer Speed Figure.

“It was a long final eighth of a mile, but she got the job done,” trainer Michael McCarthy said.

“It shows how tough she is.”

Look Forward ($5.40) earned $60,000. She has won 2 of 3 starts and earned $132,400.

The win was Look Forward’s second start for McCarthy. The filly was initially trained by Ben Cecil, who died after a lengthy battle with cancer in late November.

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Look Forward was Cecil’s final winner, in a maiden race at six furlongs at Del Mar on Nov. 8. In her first start for McCarthy, Look Forward finished second in the Grade 2 Starlet Stakes at 1 1/16 miles at Los Alamitos on Dec. 7.

“I’m grateful to Paul for moving the horse over to me,” McCarthy said. “It’s been more or less about keeping her happy.”

In the eight-runner Santa Ynez, Silent Law, the winner of the minor Anoakia Stakes for 2-year-old fillies at six furlongs in October, set a solid pace of 22.14 seconds for the opening quarter-mile and 44.98, leading by a length on the backstretch.

Look Forward, ridden by Mario Gutierrez, was three-wide on the backstretch and two-wide on the turn, moving closer to the front by early stretch.

“I thought it was a good setup down the backstretch,” McCarthy said. “She had no horses to her outside.”

Artisma, a maiden race winner in her only previous start at 6 1/2 furlongs at Del Mar on Nov. 24, closed from fourth to be second. Ridden by Abel Lezcano, Artisma was four-wide on the turn and remained wide through the stretch.

“She ran great, too wide,” trainer Richard Baltas said.

Silent Law (7-2) was caught in the final furlong and held third, beaten 4 1/4 lengths. Howin finished fourth, followed by A.Z. Wildcat, Practical Dream, and Polythene Pam. Mawu was last throughout and was eased in the final furlong.

McCarthy said Look Forward will be considered for the Grade 3 Las Virgenes Stakes, a $100,000 race at a mile for 3-year-old fillies on Feb. 2. Look Forward is rated as a long-range prospect for the Kentucky Oaks at Churchill Downs on May 2 by Reddam and McCarthy.

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