Rispoli's tactics put The Chosen Vron on top in Lazaro Barrera
ARCADIA, Calif. - The late bets were spot-on supporting The Chosen Vron in Saturday’s Grade 3 Lazaro Barrera Stakes for 3-year-old sprinters at Santa Anita.
Winning jockey Umberto Rispoli’s tactics were accurate, too.
The Chosen Vron ($3.20) was the even-money second choice as the field was being loaded in the gate, behind 4-5 Laurel River. After the final flash of changes to the odds, shortly after the race began, The Chosen Vron was the 3-5 favorite, while Laurel River was 6-5 in the four-horse field.
Final changes to the odds happen seconds after a race begins.
Laurel River, trained by Bob Baffert, dueled with 21-1 I’ll Stand Taller through an opening furlong in a quick 21.32 seconds. I’ll Stand Taller faded from contention on the turn, leaving Laurel River with a brief three-length lead.
Rispoli had The Chosen Vron in last in the first quarter-mile.
“They were flying,” Rispoli said. “When I saw them go off, I thought, ‘Wow.' ”
Rispoli positioned The Chosen Vron on the inside through the middle of the turn and moved his mount outside of a tiring Laurel River entering the stretch. The Chosen Vron led by a head with a furlong remaining, and won by 3 1/2 lengths over Laurel River.
The Chosen Vron ran 6 1/2 furlongs in 1:16.28, earning a Beyer Speed Figure of 90.
Laurel River finished 10 lengths clear of 8-1 Wipe the Slate, who was 14 1/2 lengths clear of I’ll Stand Taller. Wipe the Slate and I’ll Stand Taller are trained by Doug O’Neill.
“I did my homework,” Rispoli said. “I thought, if Doug wanted to win with one, he’ll have to send one of them.
“I tried to stay inside. He wasn’t bothered by the kickback. Once he got through on the turn, he switched leads and he went.”
The Chosen Vron, a gelding by the recently deceased stallion Vronsky, is a California-bred who has won 3 of 4 starts and has earned $210,600. The $98,000 Barrera was his second stakes, and first graded stakes win.
Trained by Eric Kruljac, The Chosen Vron was third behind Concert Tour in the Grade 2 San Vicente Stakes in his stakes debut at seven furlongs in February. Concert Tour was entered in Saturday’s Preakness Stakes at Pimlico.
The Chosen Vron won the $152,000 Echo Eddie Stakes for 3-year-old California-bred sprinters at 6 1/2 furlongs on April 3 with a trip similar to the style of his win on Saturday.
The Chosen Vron races for the partnership of Kruljac, Robert Fetkin, John Sondereker and Richard Thornburgh.