Simmy's Temple goes last to first in Pike Place Dancer

Simmy’s Temple ($14.20), whose previous five starts were all on turf, rallied from last at the quarter pole to win the $75,000 Pike Place Dancer at Golden Gate Fields on Saturday even though the race was switched from the main track.

The daughter of Royal Applause was second in her career debut in her native Great Britain in April before being sent to the United States to make her debut for trainer Doug O’Neill at Del Mar. She won her second start, but then went unplaced in two Southern California turf stakes before coming north.

Late-week rain forced the race to be switched from the turf to the main track. The Golden Gate Fields management acted cautiously after running into problems on the turf course at the spring meet.

Golden Gate’s Tapeta surface, which often plays well for turf specialists, offered no problems for Simmy’s Temple, who sat off the early pace set by stablemate Noble Dancer. She was last at the quarter pole while running two wide.

Noble Dancer was well off the rail as she headed into the stretch, but 1-5 favorite Tapped, who raced three wide most of the way, was able to grab the lead in the stretch. Simmy’s Temple was also moving inside Noble Dancer.

Simmy’s Temple and Tapped engaged in a duel for the final 16th of a mile before Tapped seemed to tire. Simmy’s Temple won the one-mile race for 2-year-old fillies by three-quarters of a length in 1:38.79. Sweet Rafaela was third, 1 1/4 lengths behind Tapped.

Simmy’s Victory was worth $45,000 for owners Great Friends Stable, Steven Keh, and Daniel Kramer. She has earned $87,489 with two wins in six starts.