Santa Anita: Blueskiesnrainbows prevails in San Pasqual Stakes

ARCADIA, Calif. – No matter the distance, if you put Blueskiesnrainbows in the right spot, he’ll deliver.

Second in the Breeders’ Cup Marathon at 1 3/4 miles in November, Blueskiesnrainbows won the Grade 3 Native Diver at Hollywood Park last month going 1 1/8 miles, then shortened up to 1 1/16 miles on Saturday and won the Grade 2, $200,000 San Pasqual Stakes at Santa Anita by a comfortable 1 1/4 lengths.

The win was the third in the last five starts for Blueskiesnrainbows, who has had his best success with jockey Martin Pedroza, who gave him an aggressive ride Saturday.

Pedroza sent Blueskiesnrainbows ($6.20), the favorite, away from the gate and took the track from the speedy Majestic City. No one could catch him. He set fractions of 23.88 seconds, 47.91, and 1:12.20 before completing 1 1/16 miles on the fast main track in 1:43.17.

“I wanted to make the lead or make the other horse work for it,” Pedroza said. “It all worked out. I got the lead all by myself.”

Majestic Harbor, a 17-1 shot, rallied for second despite jockey Tyler Baze losing his whip in deep stretch. He finished 2 1/4 lengths in front of third-place Drill. Majestic City bravely re-rallied for fourth after losing position on the far turn, then came Rousing Sermon, Blingo, and Spud Spivens.

Blueskiesnrainbows gave trainer Jerry Hollendorfer his third win of the day. The win was the seventh in 23 lifetime starts for Blueskiesnrainbows, who has finished in the money in 8 of 9 starts at Santa Anita. Blueskiesnrainbows, 5, is owned by Bad Boy Racing and Whizway Farms. He was bred by the late Edward P. Evans.