Quattroelle earns well-deserved victory in Blue Norther

ARCADIA, Calif. – Quattroelle won her first stakes in Thursday’s $80,150 Blue Norther Stakes for 2-year-old fillies at Santa Anita. Jockey Tyler Baze and trainer Jeff Mullins believe it should have been her second.

Quattroelle was soundly bumped with a quarter-mile remaining in the Grade 3 Jimmy Durante Stakes on Nov. 28 at Del Mar. Quattroelle recovered to finish a fast-closing third.

“She should have won at Del Mar,” Mullins said Friday. “I don’t know how anyone who saw the race didn’t think she was compromised at the head of the stretch.”

After Thursday’s race, Baze was full of praise for Quattroelle, but still angered at the loss on Thanksgiving weekend. “It cost me the race,” Baze said.

:: Enhance your handicapping with DRF’s Santa Anita Clocker Report

Quattroelle ($8.20) had a favorable trip to win the Blue Norther Stakes by three-quarters of a length over 9-5 favorite Javanica, who was second in the Durante. Quattroelle rallied on the inside through the final three furlongs to take the lead with more than a furlong remaining.

Owned by Red Barons Barn and Rancho Temescal, Quattroelle was timed in 1:35.72.

“I don’t know how good she is,” Baze said after leaving the winner’s circle. “She’s very nice. She made the lead in two strides.”

Mullins said Friday that he does not have any immediate race goals for Quattroelle, who was imported from Ireland in late summer. The next stakes for 3-year-old fillies on turf is the Grade 3 Sweet Life Stakes, a $100,000 race at six furlongs on Feb. 14.

The $75,000 China Doll Stakes at a mile on turf March 6 and the Grade 3 Providencia Stakes at 1 1/8 miles on April 3 could be long-range goals.

Last January, Baze was preparing to leave Southern California to ride at Oaklawn Park. Baze, 38, won 29 races at Oaklawn Park and later won six races at the Ellis Park summer meeting. He returned to Southern California in September and has since worked with former trainer Jack Carava, who became his agent at that time.

There are no plans to relocate this year.

“My family is here,” Baze said. “I have three kids and it’s hard to miss them growing up.”