Sims to run at Santa Anita for first time with Don’t Tell Sophia

LEXINGTON, Ky. – Phil Sims now can lay claim to two of the most prestigious races at his home track, and that’s all right with him.

Sims, based at Keeneland since 1980, won the Grade 1 Spinster on Sunday with Don’t Tell Sophia, bookending his 2009 win in the Grade 1 Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup with Hot Cha Cha.

“Yeah, we just keep chugging along, picking up a nice one every now and then,” Sims, 52, said Monday. “I really appreciate all the well-wishes I’ve been getting. It makes all the time and effort you put into this game worthwhile.”

The Spinster win came easier than expected. Lulled into her usual comfortable rhythm by Joe Rocco Jr., Don’t Tell Sophia lagged early and soared late, winning by 2 1/2 lengths in a race in which Close Hatches, the 1-5 favorite, was supposed to be too fast to catch.

Sims sold a partial interest to Jerry Namy in Don’t Tell Sophia, a $1,000 yearling, in the fall of her 3-year-old year. Now 6, she is on the threshold of becoming a millionaire after the $300,000 winner’s share from the Spinster pushed her bankroll to $979,295.

Her first opportunity to hit seven figures will come in the Oct. 31 Breeders’ Cup Distaff at Santa Anita..

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“We’re really looking forward to it,” he said. “We’ve earned our way. I’ll probably give her a couple easy breezes here before we fly her out to California.”

Meanwhile, Close Hatches exited the Spinster in good shape, albeit without any excuse for a major disappointment. The 4-year-old filly never shook clear of dogged pursuit by Ria Antonia and beat a steady fade down the lane, barely holding on for fourth in the field of six.

Owned by Juddmonte, the race sponsor, Close Hatches will return to trainer Bill Mott’s main base at Belmont Park, where a decision will be made “in a week or two” whether to proceed to the BC Distaff, Garrett O’Rourke of Juddmonte said Monday. She was 4 for 4 this year heading into the Spinster.

“She owes us nothing for the year we’ve had with her,” said O’Rourke. “It would be nice to get to the Breeders’ Cup and give her a shot at the [divisional] championship.”

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