Sandy Bottom makes it look easy in Anoakia Stakes

ARCADIA, Calif. - The front of a field is a comfortable position for the lightly raced filly Sandy Bottom.

After leading throughout her debut in a maiden race at 5 1/2 furlongs at Del Mar on Sept.10, Sandy Bottom won her stakes debut with the same style in Saturday’s $91,370 Anoakia Stakes for 2-year-old fillies at six furlongs at Santa Anita.

Ridden by Umberto Rispoli, Sandy Bottom was timed in 1:10.55 and earned a career-best Beyer Speed Figure of 74.

“What I’ve learned from working this filly is when she’s in front, she does everything easy,” Rispoli said. “She just keeps going.”

Sent off favored, Sandy Bottom ($4.40) set an early pace of 22.12 seconds for the opening quarter-mile and 45.20 for a half-mile, holding a narrow advantage over 6-1 Tambo. None of the chasing pack of four posed a threat in the stretch.

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Sandy Bottom led by two lengths with a furlong remaining and won by three-quarters of a length over Tambo.

Becky’s Dream (4-1) finished third, followed by 8-5 Dua and the outsider Cheeky Gal.

Dua was third in the Grade 3 Sorrento Stakes at Del Mar in August, and third in the Grade 2 Chandelier Stakes at 1 1/16 miles here on Oct. 7.

Sandy Bottom, a $145,000 purchase as a yearling, is by Omaha Beach and races for Jim and Donna Daniell and trainer Michael McCarthy. Sandy Bottom has earned $104,022.

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