Sophie P justifying her purchase price

ARCADIA, Calif. - For what she had accomplished at the time, Sophie P was hardly a bargain when she was purchased at a horses in training sale in England last December for approximately $216,000. The price was more than trainer Jim Cassidy expected to pay.

“The price got a little bit crazy,” he recalled Sunday. “Obviously, she was liked by others. Sometimes, you either go or you stop.”

At the time, Sophie P had won four minor races and finished second in a minor stakes in Scotland. The purchase seemed to make more sense after Saturday’s races at Santa Anita.

Sophie P ($30) ran the best race of her career to win her first stakes in the Grade 1 Gamely Stakes for fillies and mares at 1 1/8 miles on turf at Santa Anita.

Ridden by Kent Desormeaux, Sophie P held off a late threat from Madam Dancealot to win by a nose, a margin so close judges needed five minutes to determine the order of finish. The complexion of the race changed considerably when even-money favorite Hawksmoor stumbled at the start and was fifth early. Hawksmoor was expected to race on or near the lead.

“You got to get lucky to get one of these,” Cassidy said.

Owned by Deron Pearson, Sophie P is bound for Del Mar this summer with uncertain race goals. Cassidy said she could be considered for two Grade 2 races on turf worth $200,000 each: the Yellow Ribbon Handicap at 1 1/16 miles on Aug. 4, or the John Mabee Stakes at 1 1/8 miles on turf. Other options are stakes at Arlington Park or Saratoga.

“We’ll have to decide whether to keep her here,” Cassidy said. “I hope it’s Del Mar.”

Sophie P, a 4-year-old by the Danetime stallion Bushranger, has won 5 of 21 starts and earned $256,570. She earned $180,000 for the win in the Gamely, nearly recovering Pearson’s initial investment. Her residual value has soared.