Santa Anita: Tactical ride helps Nashoba's Gold take Providencia

ARCADIA, Calif. - Officially, jockey Joe Talamo rode only one horse in Saturday’s $151,250 Providencia Stakes – Nashoba’s Gold. But his tactics aboard the filly influenced other riders and led to Nashoba’s Gold’s first stakes win in the Grade 3 race for 3-year-old fillies over 1 1/8 miles on turf.

Talamo had Nashoba’s Gold off the rail and behind the leaders going into the turn. He urged Nashoba’s Gold toward the front, and made a move to get in front of Diversy Harbor, the even-money favorite ridden by Gary Stevens.

Turning into the stretch, Nashoba’s Gold rallied wide, taking the lead while racing in the clear. Diversy Harbor rallied inside between fillies and settled for second, beaten a length.

Nashoba’s Gold ($7.40) was timed in 1:48.06.

“I told Joe it was going to be a jockeys’ race,” winning trainer Carla Gaines said.

The result was a reverse of the minor China Doll Stakes over a mile on March 8, which Diversy Harbor won by a half-length over Nashoba’s Gold.

One More finished third in the Providencia, followed by Margot Machance, Kukaluka, Practising, Tiz Kissable, Soresca, and Savings Account. Full Ransom was pulled up on the first turn and was walked off the racetrack.

Nashoba’s Gold races for breeder Warren Williamson. By Smart Strike, Nashoba’s Gold is a half-sister to the late millionaire Nashoba’s Key, who was trained by Gaines. Nashoba’s Gold has won 2 of 3 starts and earned $139,380.

Gaines expects further improvement in coming starts.

“My filly is maturing,” Gaines said. “She’s just learning.”

Diversy Harbor, who races for Glen Hill Farm and trainer Tom Proctor, was beaten for the first time in the Providencia, her third start. The first two finishers are likely to meet again in the $200,000 Honeymoon Handicap over 1 1/8 miles on May 4, a prep for the $350,000 American Oaks over 1 1/4 miles on turf on May 31.