Mended takes leap into graded stakes competition in La Canada

ARCADIA, Calif. – A year after being claimed for the price of a used car, Mended is unbeaten in 10 starts and set for her graded stakes debut in Saturday’s Grade 2 La Canada Stakes at Santa Anita.

Mended won the Claiming Crown Glass Slipper Stakes on Dec. 2 at Gulfstream Park in her stakes debut to end a season in which she earned $185,900 for owners Troy and Maritza Onorato of Daly City, Calif.

The Onoratos and trainer John Martin claimed Mended out of a fourth-place finish for $12,500 on Jan. 6, 2016, at Golden Gate Fields. Troy Onorato suggested the claim, Martin said Wednesday.

Mended, 5, has not lost since. The winning streak comprises four claiming races, three optional claimers, two starter allowance races, and the Glass Slipper Stakes. During that span, Mended won seven times at Golden Gate Fields and once at Del Mar, Pleasanton, and Gulfstream Park.

The $200,000 La Canada Stakes, at one mile for fillies and mares, will be Mended’s toughest test yet, Martin said.

“I know it’s not easy,” Martin said.

“You need to step and run against better horses. I don’t know good she is. She’s been running good, but the competition has been lesser.”

By Broken Vow, Mended has won 13 of 26 starts and earned $231,690. Martin is her fourth trainer. She was previously with Mike Puype, Keith Desormeaux, and Matthew Troy, all of whom lost her via claim.

Mended has been on the pace in all her races since the claim, including in her 3 1/4-length win in an optional claimer at Del Mar in July. But Martin said she doesn’t have to be in front.

Among Mended’s main competition in the La Canada will be Majestic Heat, the comfortable winner of the Grade 2 Bayakoa Stakes at Los Alamitos on Dec. 3.

“I saw two or three horses that are tough,” Martin said.