Santa Anita: Ambitious Brew wins Sensational Star Stakes
ARCADIA, Calif. – When jockey Brice Blanc worked Ambitious Brew at Santa Anita on Feb. 14, he was unsure whether he would ride the 4-year-old gelding.
Mike Smith rode Ambitious Brew in his first six starts, a job that became available when Smith opted to spend Saturday at Fair Grounds, where he won the Risen Star Stakes with Intense Holiday.
Blanc learned that he had the mount on Ambitious Brew for Saturday’s $100,250 Sensational Star Stakes for California-breds when entries were published Wednesday. They turned out to be a good partnership.
Ambitious Brew ($8) closed from third in a field of six to win the Sensational Star Stakes by 1 1/2 lengths over 4-5 Lakerville. The Sensational Star was run over about 6 1/2 furlongs on the hillside turf course.
“I was surprised when I was named on him,” Blanc said.
Ambitious Brew stalked pacesetter Coach Bob through early fractions of 22.00 and 44.22 seconds for the first half-mile before taking the lead. Ambitious Brew led by a half-length with a furlong remaining and pulled away in the final sixteenth. He was timed in 1:12.00.
“He responded wonderfully when I asked him,” Blanc said.
Lakerville, who won the Clocker’s Corner Stakes on Jan. 26, closed from fifth to finish a half-length in front of Summer Hit. Coach Bob, Ain’t No Other, and Kate’s Event completed the order of finish. Mr. Ornery was scratched.
Ambitious Brew is trained by Marty Jones, who said Blanc was an ideal fit as a substitute for Smith.
“He needed somebody who is patient,” Jones said of Ambitious Brew. “He’s so competitive. If you ask him, he’ll do it. He’s honest.”
Ambitious Brew races for breeder Pamela Ziebarth. Ziebarth and Jones have teamed to campaign Tiz Flirtatious, a multiple graded stakes winner on turf.
Ambitious Brew, a 4-year-old by Tizbud, has won 4 of 7 starts and earned $227,920. In his only previous stakes appearance, Ambitious Brew was second in the Real Good Deal Stakes for California-bred 3-year-olds at Del Mar last August.