She's a Big Winner survives foul claim in Sweet Life
ARCADIA, Calif. - She’s a Big Winner weighs about 1,200 pounds, trainer Peter Eurton estimates.
The filly has always been a bit of brute, and her size played a role in her first stakes win in Saturday’s $79,800 Sweet Life Stakes for 3-year-old fillies on the hillside turf course at Santa Anita.
Through the final furlong of the race at about 6 1/2 furlongs, She’s a Big Winner was challenged by even-money favorite Bobbi Grace, who raced on the rail. She’s a Big Winner held her ground when the two appeared to make contact at one point and stayed in front to win by a length.
Gary Stevens, who rode the much smaller Bobbi Grace, lodged an objection against the winner, but the claim of foul was not allowed by track stewards.
She’s a Big Winner ($17.40) was timed in 1:12.42, and won for the second consecutive time. The filly by Bellamy Road is one Eurton expects to show greater improvement.
“She’s still pretty green,” Eurton said. “She’s supposed to go a little farther than this.”
She’s a Big Winner was always near the front in the Sweet Life Stakes. She was a half-length behind early leader Shh She’s Ours through the opening-quarter mile, and took the lead when the field crossed onto the main turf course. She’s a Big Winner and Bobbi Grace were a head apart at the eighth pole, with She’s a Big Winner drawing away late.
Bobbi Grace finished three-quarters of a length in front of Spirit of Xian, an import from England. Mio Me, Minks Aprise, Havanna Belle, Morning Coffee, Shh She’s Ours, Wedding Blush, Belle Et Bete, and Sister of Mercy completed the order of finish.
She’s a Big Winner, purchased for $80,000 at a 2-year-olds in-training sale in Maryland last May, races for Sharon Alesia, Ciaglia Racing, Rob Drydek, and Robin Christianson.
She’s a Big Winner has won 2 of 4 starts and earned $87,550. She beat maidens on the hillside turf course in her third start on Jan. 9.
The filly was involved in a frightening incident last autumn. On Sept. 28, She’s a Big Winner unseated jockey Kent Desormeaux in the post parade of a maiden race. When Desormeaux got up to grab She’s a Big Winner’s reins, the filly kicked him in the chest, resulting in rib injuries that left him sidelined for nearly a month.
She’s a Big Winner was scratched that day and ran 11th in her career debut on Oct. 12.