Mucho Unusual earns BC Filly and Mare Turf berth in Rodeo Drive

Mucho Unusual led throughout the Grade 1 Rodeo Drive Stakes for fillies and mares on turf at Santa Anita on Saturday to earn a berth an automatic berth to the Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Turf at Keeneland on Nov. 7.

The $300,000 Rodeo Drive was Mucho Unusual’s first win in a race at the highest level for owner and breeder George Krikorian and trainer Tim Yakteen.

The race was the first Grade 1 win for jockey Juan Hernandez, a former leading rider at Golden Gate Fields who relocated to Southern California over the winter.

In the Rodeo Drive Stakes, Hernandez rode Mucho Unusual for the first time. Mucho Unusual took the lead shortly after the start and led by a length through the first six furlongs, setting a modest pace of 1:14.07 seconds.

The chasing pack of five failed to significantly reduce Mucho Unusual’s lead through the stretch. Mucho Unusual ($8.80) won by 1 1/4 lengths over 5-2 Maxim Rate, running 1 1/4 miles on turf in 2:00.19. She earned a Beyer Speed Figure of 94.

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“Tim told me she was doing good,” Hernandez said. “He said, ‘If she breaks sharp, don’t be afraid to go to the front.’ She was really comfortable all the way.”

Mucho Unusual led by two lengths after the first mile when Hernandez noticed Maxim Rate was making some progress.

“I checked under my arm and I saw a guy coming and I started riding a little harder,” he said. “She responded.”

Lady Prancealot, the 7-5 favorite, closed from last to finish third, followed by Tonahutu, Pretty Point, and Catch the Eye.

Bodhicitta, the winner of the Grade 2 Yellow Ribbon Handicap at Del Mar on Aug. 8, was withdrawn early Saturday. Trainer Richard Baltas said Bodhicitta may start in the Grade 1 First Lady Stakes at Keeneland on Oct. 3.

Mucho Unusual, a 4-year-old filly by Mucho Macho Man, was bred in California and has won 5 of 16 starts and earned $702,715. The Rodeo Drive win ended an eight-race losing streak since the Grade 2 San Clemente Stakes at Del Mar in July 2019.

Earlier this year, Mucho Unusual was third in the Grade 1 Gamely Stakes here in May and last of eight in the Grade 1 Jenny Wiley Stakes at Keeneland on July 11. More recently, Mucho Unusual was third as the 1-2 favorite in the Solana Beach Stakes for California-bred fillies and mares at a mile on turf at Del Mar on Aug. 15.