Right There wins stakes debut in Landaluce

ARCADIA, Calif. – The filly Right There was second in her debut in a maiden race May 21 at Santa Anita, a loss that did not discourage trainer Keith Desormeaux.

In the following month, Desormeaux said he noticed developments in key categories.

“All the things a trainer looks for – condition, good strong finishing works, good appetite, and good coat color,” he said.

Right There displayed further development in racing when she won her stakes debut in Sunday’s $125,500 Landaluce Stakes for 2-year-old fillies at 5 1/2 furlongs. Ridden by Keith’s brother, Kent, Right There closed from sixth in a field of seven to win by an impressive 4 3/4 lengths over the 3-1 Alien Giant.

Right There ($13.40) was timed in 1:05.39.

Kent Desormeaux had Right There five lengths off the pace going into the turn and rallied wide through the stretch to take the lead in the final furlong.

“It didn’t look like Kent was asking her to be in the position that she was,” Keith Desormeaux said. “When you see riders on the lead start asking their horses at the quarter-pole and we’re just sitting there, I was pretty confident.”

Sambamzajammin finished third, followed by Faith Pacer, Miss Gridley, She’s a Classic, and Star of Munster.

Right There, by Eskendereya, was purchased for $55,000 at the Keeneland September Yearling sale last year. Owned by Matt Bryan, Right There has earned $86,200.