Santa Ana distance brings Going to Vegas, Closing Remarks closer together

ARCADIA, Calif. – Some horses use natural speed to create their own luck, such as Going to Vegas. Others are pace-dependent closers that need help, like Closing Remarks.

The pace-pressing mare and late-running filly meet again Saturday in the Grade 3 Santa Ana Stakes on turf at Santa Anita, where the 1 1/4-mile distance might allow Closing Remarks to turn the tables after finishing behind her rival at one mile last out.

Nine fillies and mares entered the $125,000 Santa Ana, including three main contenders – Going to Vegas, Closing Remarks, and Neige Blanche. The race is shorter than preferred for multiple Grade 3 winner Neige Blanche, but ideal for Going to Vegas and Closing Remarks.

Grade 1 winner Going to Vegas would be the first two-time winner of the Santa Ana, while Closing Remarks is trying to win her first graded stakes. Trainer Carla Gaines and jockey Joe Bravo hoped it would happen last out in a Grade 2 mile, but she got no help.

“We were hoping someone would soften the horse on the front end, and it didn’t happen,” Gaines said. Closing Remarks “made a huge, gallant run, but couldn’t quite get to her. According to Joe, if it was a mile and a sixteenth, she wins.”

That was the Buena Vista in which pacesetter Leggs Galore and Going to Vegas finished one-two, respectively. Closing Remarks rallied to third after running a final quarter-mile in a blistering 22.68 seconds. Sooner or later, Closing Remarks will get there in a graded stakes. The filly clearly has reached top form since Gaines switched riders to Bravo.

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“Joe just seems to suit her well,” Gaines said. “She can make a long, sustained run. Her best races are a mile and one-eighth. She’s never done a mile and a quarter. It should be okay.”

The distance should be perfect for Closing Remarks, recently named champion California-bred 3-year-old filly of 2021. She has won three races and $371,320 from 13 starts for owner-breeder John Harris. She has placed in four graded stakes.

Going to Vegas is likely to vie for favoritism after a solid second in the one-mile Buena Vista for trainer Richard Baltas, who has won the last four Santa Anas. Going to Vegas has natural speed to create her trip by setting or pressing the pace, and benefits by the longer distance. Her rider is Umberto Rispoli.

Neige Blanche’s four graded and group wins came at 1 3/8 miles or more, though she won a pair of 1 1/4-mile races in France. Leonard Powell trains Neige Blanche, who won back-to-back Grade 3s in November and January.

“She shows up every time, and this year she’s better than she’s ever been,” Powell said.

Neige Blanche will be ridden by Juan Hernandez.

The others in the Santa Ana are Disappearing Act, Charges Dropped, Quiet Secretary, Keyflower, Queen Goddess, and Carpe Vinum.