Spring Meadow takes Las Flores

ARCADIA, Calif. - Spring Meadow won her first graded stakes in Saturday's $135,500 Las Flores Handicap at Santa Anita, holding on a late rally by Brisquette to win by a neck.

Spring Meadow ($7.20) stalked the pace of Shameful and September Secret through fractions of 21.25 and 43.81 seconds, rallied three-wide to reach contention on the final turn and took the lead in the final furlong.

Ridden by Corey Nakatani for Fog City Stable and trainer Bob Hess, Jr., Spring Meadow was all out to hold off Brisquette, who rallied from last to nearly catch the winner. Spring Meadow finished six furlongs in 1:10.20.

"I was getting worried at the quarter-pole," Hess said. "I was surprised no one nailed us."

Brisquette finished 1 1-2 lengths in front of September Secret and Wild Tickle, who finished in a dead-heat for third. Mon Ange finished fourth, followed by Secret Liaison, and Shameful.

The Grade 3 Las Flores was Spring Meadow's eighth appearance in a graded stakes.

A 4-year-old by Meadowlake, Spring Meadow has won 4 of 14 starts and $373,431. Last year, she won the Stonerside Stakes at Lone Star Park.