Mea Domina best in Ramser

ARCADIA, Calif. - Jockey Gary Stevens was as surprised as anyone that Mea Domina pulled an upset at 6-1 in Monday's $100,000 at Santa Anita.

"I hate to say this, but I gave myself no chance going into the gate," Stevens said. "She had me worried in the post parade. She was very nervous and a handful. She wore me out."

Once the race started, Mea Domina was more cooperative for Stevens. She stalked pacesetter Potion for the first half-mile, took the lead on the final turn and pulled clear to win by two lengths.

"She picked it up on her own," Stevens said.

Trained by Ron McAnally for Janis Whitham, Mea Domina ($15) finished a mile on turf in 1:33.90.

Penny's Fortune, who won the Carmel Handicap at Bay Meadows last month, finished a troubled second, 1 1-2 lengths in front of 12-1 Costume Designer. Penny's Fortune was stuck behind fillies on the final turn, but failed to threaten Mea Domina once clear in the stretch.

Sweet Win, the even-money favorite and a stakes winner at Del Mar in the summer, finished fifth in the field of nine 3-year-old fillies. Sweet Win never threatened the leaders.

The victory marked Mea Domina's first appearance in a stakes. A winner of 2 of 5 starts and $116,600, she beat maidens in her previous start at Del Mar on Aug. 28. Mea Domina is unbeaten on turf.