Paradise Lake keeps nose in front to take Frankel Stakes after long drive

ARCADIA, Calif. – Paradise Lake passed pacesetter Starry Night in early stretch of Thursday’s Grade 3 Robert Frankel Stakes at Santa Anita, but was tested by that rival through the final sixteenth before prevailing by a nose.

The victory gave Paradise Lake her first stakes win in her second start in such a race. She was third in the Grade 3 Red Carpet Stakes at Del Mar on Nov. 23.

Paradise Lake ($9) earned Thursday’s win in the $101,500 Frankel Stakes for fillies and mares at 1 1/8 miles on turf.

Ridden by Juan Hernandez, Paradise Lake stalked Starry Night through a slow pace of 25.46 seconds for the opening quarter-mile and 50.93 for a half-mile. After six furlongs in 1:15.72, Paradise Lake was within a half-length of Starry Night.

Turning into the stretch, Paradise Lake appeared to have the other seven runners at her mercy. Starry Night, a 28-1 outsider making her first start in a stakes, fought back to nearly regain the lead under jockey Ricky Gonzalez.

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“She was galloping along really nice,” Gonzalez said. “She came back for me.”

Paradise Lake was timed in 1:50.72 and earned a Beyer Speed Figure of 85.

“I felt the pace was really slow,” Hernandez said. “It felt like we were galloping.”

Hernandez said Paradise Lake was traveling well with three furlongs remaining, and that he paused before urging the 5-year-old mare.

“I waited a little longer,” he said. “Around the stretch, when I smooched her the second time, she took off. I felt the inside horse was trying to come back.”

Starry Night finished a neck in front of 7-1 Watchtower, who closed from fourth to finish third. Hannah Buckle was fourth, followed by Public Assembly, Willa T, Sun Of Hill, and Ima Joker.

Public Assembly, second by a neck in the Red Carpet, was the 3-5 favorite. She closed from last to finish about 1 1/4 lengths behind Paradise Lake.

Paradise Lake, by Uncle Mo, races for Lee and Susan Searing’s CRK Stable and trainer Peter Eurton. The Frankel Stakes, named in honor of the late Hall of Fame trainer, was Paradise Lake’s fourth win in 11 starts, and third win in her last five starts. She won allowance races at Santa Anita in May and October last year.

Paradise Lake has earned $248,000.

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