Rispoli makes no mistake in riding Mrs. Astor to Santa Barbara victory
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ARCADIA, Calif. - A tactical mistake led to a second-place finish by Mrs. Astor in the Grade 3 Santa Ana Stakes at Santa Anita on March 15 in a defeat that ended a two-race winning streak in stakes.
A return to her previous racing style as a stalker resulted in an easy win for Mrs. Astor in Sunday’s $100,000 Santa Barbara Stakes at 1 1/2 miles for fillies and mares.
Ridden by Umberto Rispoli, who on Saturday rode Journalism to a second-place finish in the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs, Mrs. Astor won the Santa Barbara by five lengths.
“I think she relishes a route,” trainer Jonathan Thomas said in the winner’s circle. “There are only a handful of opportunities. We have to make the best use of them when we can.”
Sent off favored, Mrs. Astor ($4.20) was timed in 2:27.95 and earned a career-best Beyer Speed Figure of 93.
“She was much the best,” Rispoli said.
Mrs. Astor was fourth for the first mile, tracking 17-1 Sakura Blossom through a fair pace of 23.54 seconds for the opening quarter-mile and 47.11 for a half-mile. Mrs. Astor was within three lengths of pacesetter Sakura Blossom on the backstretch.
Rispoli urged Mrs. Astor forward with a three-wide move on the turn and was within a head of brief leader Starry Heavens with a quarter-mile remaining. Mrs. Astor led by 2 1/2 lengths in the stretch before extending her advantage late.
Starry Heavens (3-2) finished a nose in front of 4-1 Sophisticate. Mahina and Sakura Blossom completed the order of finish. Khinjani was scratched on Sunday morning and re-entered in an allowance race on turf on Friday.
Mrs. Astor, a 5-year-old mare by Lookin At Lucky, won consecutive Grade 3 turf races worth $100,000 in late 2024 - the Red Carpet Stakes at 1 3/8 miles at Del Mar last November, and the Robert J. Frankel Stakes at 1 1/8 miles at Santa Anita in late December.
In her first start of 2025, Mrs. Astor finished second by 2 1/2 lengths in the Grade 3 Santa Ana Stakes at 1 1/4 miles after racing farther back than normal. Rispoli rode Mrs. Astor for the first time in that race.
“Umberto and I both thought we left her too much to do in her last start,” Thomas said. “She kind got shuffled back and we probably waited a little too long.”
On Sunday, Rispoli shouldered the loss in the Santa Ana.
“Last time, I messed up and I have to totally admit that it was my fault when I got beat,” he said.
In reference to Sunday’s win, Rispoli said, “I definitely rode her better than last time.”
The Santa Barbara was Mrs. Astor’s fifth win in 18 starts. She has earned $435,235.
“It’s always nice to get back to the winner’s circle,” Thomas said.
Owned by Augustin Stable, Mrs. Astor will be considered for two turf stakes on the closing weekend of the current Santa Anita spring meeting – the $100,000 Possibly Perfect Stakes for fillies and mares at 1 1/4 miles on June 14 or the Grade 3 San Juan Capistrano Stakes against males at about 1 3/4 miles on June 15.
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