She's So Special capitalizes on stablemate's misfortune in Desert Code Stakes

The filly She’s So Special was both good and lucky on Saturday at Santa Anita, as she remained unbeaten in 5 1/2-furlong turf sprints when capturing the $85,875 Desert Code Stakes for 3-year-olds, a race in which her stablemate El Tigre Terrible encountered horrendous traffic trouble before getting out too late.

As a result, She’s So Special ($4.80), the favorite, was able to hit the wire to preserve a half-length victory over El Tigre Terrible, who had nowhere to go for much of the stretch, switched out late, and finished furiously to just miss. It was a blanket finish, with all six runners separated by just 1 1/2 lengths.

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Thanks Mr. Eidson was third, a head behind El Tigre Terrible and a half-length in front of Phantom Boss, who was reported as needing a shoe repair in the receiving barn prior to the race. Rookie Mistake and Party Town dead-heated for fifth, a neck behind Phantom Boss.

Flavien Prat rode She’s So Special, giving him three wins in the first four races on Saturday’s card.

Peter Miller trains both She’s So Special and El Tigre Terrible.

She’s So Special covered 5 1/2 furlongs on the firm course in 1:01.52. She was between rivals on the far turn while just behind the leaders and in traffic, got through when her stablemate was stuck inside, and held her advantage to the wire.

She’s So Special has now won four times in nine starts, and she is perfect in three turf sprints at Santa Anita. She is owned by Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners, which risked her for $80,000 in her previous start, an optional claimer, which she won on May 15. Fortunately for them, there were no takers for the daughter of Hard Spun.