Santa Monica digs in on boggy course to win Sheepshead Bay

Santa Monica plowed through a boggy Belmont turf course and won the Grade 2, $200,000 Sheepshead Bay Stakes by 1 1/4 lengths on Saturday afternoon.

Winning time for the 1 3/8 miles was 2:26.70, more than 15 seconds slower than the course record and a strong marker of just how laboring the turf was.

Semper Sententiae rallied mildly to finish second, five lengths in front of third-place Giant Zinger. Then came Lady Montdore and Vexatious as Holy Helena, who would’ve been no worse than second choice, was scratched.

Joe Bravo let Santa Monica, who was third in this race a year ago, settle into an easy stride at the back of the small group as Giant Zinger went a half-mile in 52.80 seconds and three-quarters in 1:19.32. Bravo let his mount begin quickening around the far turn and Santa Monica cruised up to the lead at the head of the homestretch. Maintaining her rhythm and staying on solidly, she never was really threatened though Semper Sententiae narrowed the margin in the final furlong.

The Chad Brown-trained Santa Monica ($4.20) was sold over the winter and now races for R Unicorn Stable, the new owner electing to keep her in training through this, her 6-year-old season. Bred in Great Britain, Santa Monica, who won for the sixth time in 31 starts, is a daughter of Mastercraftsman and Zacchera, by Zamindar.