Rock Your World makes Pasadena first stakes triumph

When Rock Your World and Cathkin Peak were side by side in early stretch of Saturday’s $100,000 Pasadena Stakes at Santa Anita, the challenge got the attention of Rock Your World.

Rock Your World, ridden by Umberto Rispoli, went from third with a furlong remaining to a cozy win by 2 1/4 lengths over Cathkin Peak, who was ridden by Flavien Prat.

“Let me tell you something – Wow,” Rispoli said as he walked to the jockey’s room.

Rock Your World was inspired by the competition and quickly took advantage, Rispoli said.

“He put his ears up, and bam,” Rispoli said.

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Cathkin Peak, the winner of the Eddie Logan Stakes for 2-year-olds at a mile on turf on Dec. 27, was a slight favorite at even money and finished a length in front of Red Flag.

Commander Khai, who set the pace to the final furlong, faded to finish fourth ahead of Harlan Estate in the small field. Mac Daddy Too was withdrawn on Saturday morning.

Cathkin Peak was second on the backstretch, racing behind Commander Khai, and was positioned outside the pacesetter for running room in early stretch. Prat told trainer Phil D’Amato that the inside trip was not ideal.

“He said he was relegated to fighting him on the inside, off heels and tried to reaccelerate,” D’Amato said. “He thought he would get through late.”

The Pasadena was the turf stakes debut for Red Flag, the winner of the Grade 3 Bob Hope Stakes at seven furlongs at Del Mar in November. The Pasadena was the 2021 debut for Red Flag, who finished fourth as the 9-10 favorite in the Grade 2 Los Alamitos Futurity in December.

Rock Your World ($4.20) had his stakes debut in the Pasadena Stakes at a mile on turf for 3-year-olds. Trained by John Sadler, Rock Your World was timed in 1:34.39 and earned a Beyer Speed Figure of 82.

Rispoli was aboard for Rock Your World’s debut in a maiden special weight at six furlongs on turf on Jan. 1.

“We don’t know what he can do,” Rispoli said of Rock Your World’s potential.

Owned by Pete and Kosta Hronis and Michael Talla, Rock Your World is by Candy Ride and has earned $96,600 in two starts. The colt was purchased as a yearling for $650,000.