Miss Sunset leads throughout to win Spring Fever Stakes

ARCADIA, Calif. – Miss Sunset won the seventh stakes of her career in Sunday’s $100,000 Sprint Fever Stakes for California-bred females at Santa Anita after setting a slower pace than trainer Jeff Bonde projected.

Ridden by Mike Smith, Miss Sunset led throughout and won by 2 1/2 lengths over 11-1 Cuddle Alert. A slow opening quarter-mile in 22.42 seconds and half-mile in 45.68 seconds were major factors in the win, Bonde said.

“She got an easy half-mile and had a lot left,” Bonde said. “It worked out better.”

Miss Sunset and Cuddle Alert were first and second throughout the six furlongs in 1:09.92. Miss Sunset ($4.40) led by a head after a quarter-mile and by a length after a half-mile.

Majestic Heat, the 9-10 favorite, closed from last in a field of five to finish third, followed by Bad Ju Ju and Shy Carmelita. Majestic Heat was never a threat to Miss Sunset, losing by three lengths.

Miss Sunset has won 8 of 14 starts and earned $678,735. A 4-year-old filly by Into Mischief, Miss Sunset ended a two-race losing streak in the Spring Fever. Miss Sunset was last of eight in the Grade 1 La Brea Stakes for 3-year-old fillies at seven furlongs on Dec. 26 and third as the 3-2 favorite in the Sunshine Millions Filly and Mare Turf Sprint for California-breds on the hillside turf course on Jan. 27.

Owned by Philip Lebherz and Alan Klein, Miss Sunset is a candidate for the Grade 2 Santa Monica Stakes, a $200,000 race for fillies and mares at seven furlongs on March 24. Last October, Miss Sunset won the Grade 2 Raven Run Stakes for 3-year-old fillies at Keeneland, her most prestigious win.

Miss Sunset’s other six stakes wins have been in minor races or against statebreds. Miss Sunset will remain in training through the year, Bonde said.