Santa Anita: Sky High Gal wins Wishing Well Stakes as Sadler barn gains momentum

ARCADIA, Calif. – Now, trainer John Sadler can’t seem to lose.

After winning with only five of his first 62 starters at the current Santa Anita meeting, Sadler won with four of eight starters Saturday and Sunday, a span that included Sky High Gal’s victory in the $79,750 Wishing Well Stakes for fillies and mares on the hillside turf course Sunday.

On Saturday, Sadler won two Grade 2 stakes – the $201,500 San Marcos on turf with Vagabond Shoes and the $200,500 Robert B. Lewis with Santa Anita Derby hopeful Candy Boy.

Sky High Gal ($15.40) held off a sustained threat from 7-2 Birdlover to win the Wishing Well Stakes by a head. Ridden by Corey Nakatani, Sky High Gal led or disputed the pace throughout, through early fractions of 22.17 and 43.69 seconds. Birdlover led by a half-length with a furlong remaining, but Sky High Gal prevailed narrowly.

“I thought she was surging,” Sadler said of the stretch run. “She’s got a ton of talent.”

Sky High Gal ran about 6 1/2 furlongs on turf in 1:12.22. Birdlover finished a neck in front of Fanticola, who was a head in front of even-money favorite Purim’s Dancer. Miss Lucky Sevens finished fifth, followed by Royal Empress, Oscillator, and Caraquista.

Sky High Gal races for Hronis Racing, which also owns Vagabond Shoes.

A 4-year-old filly by Leroisdesanimaux, Sky High Gal has won 4 of 7 starts and earned $173,733. She won the minor Blue Norther Stakes for 3-year-old fillies in January 2013 but made only two more starts last year, finishing eighth in the China Doll Stakes in March and fourth in the Grade 3 Sen. Ken Maddy Stakes in November.

Sky High Gal was entered in the Grade 2 Monrovia Stakes here Jan. 5 but did not start because of illness, Sadler said.

“We had some times we’ve had to stop and start with her,” he said.

Sadler said his stable’s slow start to the meeting was not a major concern, considering the barn turned out several prominent runners in late 2013. The weekend results “picked our heads up,” he said earlier Sunday.

“We were excited yesterday,” Sadler said in the winner’s circle. “Today is a fun topper.”