Miss Terrible wins Las Flores Handicap

ARCADIA, Calif. - Miss Terrible, an Argentine champion who won seven consecutive Group 1 races in that country in 2002, scored the first win of her American career in Sunday's $109,600 at Santa Anita.

The win marked the first career victory for trainer Bradley Ross, a self-described semi-retired farrier. The Grade 3 Las Flores was the most lucrative win of Miss Terrible's 12-race career. A winner of nine races and $153,517, she was making her first start since finishing sixth in an allowance race on turf at Saratoga in 2003. Miss Terrible races for Carol and Chip Hammersmith of Elburn, Ill.

Miss Terrible ($24.40) finished six furlongs in 1:09.47.

Ridden by Alex Solis, Miss Terrible took advantage of a torrid pace, rallying from fourth to reach contention in early stretch. Papa to Kinzie, the 6-5 favorite, stumbled at the start, but recovered to set fractions of 20.84 and 43.69 seconds. Ridden by Patrick Valenzuela, Papa to Kinzie led by as many as four lengths before fading.

Mazella took over from Papa to Kinzie in early stretch, but was caught in the final furlong by Miss Terrible. Racing wide, Miss Terrible held off a determined rally from Puxa Saco to win by a half-length. Mazella finished third in the field of eight fillies and mares.