Pattys Saint holds off rivals in Vessels Memorial Handicap

CYPRESS, Calif. – Pattys Saint won her California debut in Sunday’s $125,000 Mildred Vessels Memorial Handicap for Quarter Horse fillies and mares at Los Alamitos, her 13th win in 18 starts and by far her most prestigious victory.

A 4-year-old Idaho-bred filly, Pattys Saint ($8.20) won by a half-length over 5-1 Nymphette, finishing 400 yards in 19.89 seconds. Pattys Saint was away well and led narrowly midway through the race before gaining a wider advantage near the finish.

Leah Carroll (48-1) had an excellent start and led briefly before fading to finish third, a nose behind Nymphette. Leah Carroll finished a nose in front of even-money favorite Kiss Thru Fire, who had her head turned at the start and was away too slowly to recover.

Pattys Saint was ridden by her regular rider, Jesus Virgen, in his first mount at Los Alamitos. The Mildred Vessels was the first starter at Los Alamitos for trainer Heath Hillman of Preston, Idaho.

Hillman trains three horses and primarily operates a garage door business.

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Pattys Saint is owned by breeder Robert Harrison, who turns 91 on Tuesday.

The Mildred Vessels was the second start in a six-figure stakes for Pattys Saint, who won the $106,500 AQHA Challenge Distaff Championship at The Downs at Albuquerque last October.

Pattys Saint, by Jess Got Easier, has finished first in all five of her starts this year, but was disqualified from first and placed 10th in the $75,000 Animas Stakes at SunRay Park in New Mexico in May for a bute overage, Hillman said.

With the win in the Mildred Vessels, Pattys Saint has been given a provisional berth in the $750,000 Champion of Champions against many of the nation’s leading males at Los Alamitos on Dec. 10, pending a formal invitation from track management.