Quattroelle's late move takes down Buena Vista Stakes
ARCADIA, Calif. - Quattroelle has gone from a surprise win at 10-1 in the Grade 3 Megahertz Stakes last month to the status of top turf mare at Santa Anita this winter.
For the first time in her four-year career, Quattroelle has won consecutive starts, adding to her win in the Megahertz on Feb. 4 with a hard-fought victory in Saturday’s Grade 2 Buena Vista Stakes for fillies and mares at a mile on turf.
“When mares get good, they stay good,” co-owner Tim Cohen said.
Ridden by Hector Berrios, Quattroelle ($8.60) closed from fifth in a field of seven to win the $201,000 Buena Vista by a half-length over 7-2 Macadamia. Closing Remarks, who encountered severe traffic on the backstretch, finished third at 6-1.
Kitty Kitana, the 3-1 favorite, was pulled up on the backstretch while holding a narrow lead. Kitty Katana did not appear to suffer an injury. She was walked to the stables, stewards said.
“I never thought she was comfortable,” jockey Flavien Prat said. “She was getting worse and worse.”
Quattroelle was timed in 1:35.74. She was one of four runners to lead in the stretch.
After Kitty Kitana was pulled up, Tik Tok Famous led briefly before yielding the front in early stretch to School Dance, who was quickly passed by Nadette with a furlong remaining. Macadamia overtook Nadette in the final sixteenth. Berrios moved Quattroelle into contention with a wide rally to take a late lead from Macadamia.
“When you know you have a good mare, you can just wait for the right time to make your move,” Berrios said. “She was ready to move on the turn. I waited for that moment to move and she did the rest.”
School Dance finished fourth, followed by Nadette and Tik Tok Famous. Closing Remarks was unlucky not to finish first or second. Ridden by Joe Bravo, Closing Remarks was checked on the backstretch while racing behind Kitty Kitana. Closing Remarks was last of six with a furlong remaining.
Quattroelle is trained by Jeff Mullins for Red Baron’s Barn and Cohen’s Rancho Temescal. A 5-year-old Irish-bred mare by Mehmas, Quattroelle has won 5 of 15 starts and earned $412,772. She has earned $180,000 this year.
Quattroelle won the Grade 3 Megahertz Stakes for her second stakes win and first in a graded stakes. The Buena Vista was Quattroelle’s eighth start following a 13-month layoff that ended last June.
Mullins credited Berrios for getting the most out of Quattroelle in one-mile races this winter.
“Hector has been more patient,” he said. “I think that’s been the key.”
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