Stakes debut likely for Ramayana after second straight win

ARCADIA, Calif. – Ramayana was bred to be a stakes filly, and the 3-year-old will get her first stakes chance next month after a solid allowance win Friday in race 3 at Santa Anita.

The last-to-first victory in the turf mile was the second straight by Ramayana ($4.60 second favorite), sired by Uncle Mo and produced by three-time Grade 1 winner Miss Temple City. Richard Mandella trains Ramayana, and Mirco Demuro rode her Friday.

Prior to the start of the Santa Anita winter meet, Ramayana was a study in frustration. She finished second in her first three starts before the light bulb went on. She won a maiden turf mile Dec. 28 at Santa Anita, followed by her victory on Friday.

The final time was a slow 1:39.47, and she won with her ears pricked by three-quarters of a length. Wild Like the West finished second, while 6-5 favorite Peanutbutterbombe finished third.

Ramayana “is just a nice filly that’s improving,” Mandella said afterward. “She’s starting to understand my training.”

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Mandella said Ramayana will aim for the $100,000 China Doll Stakes, a turf mile for 3-year-old fillies on March 22. The China Doll is likely to attract runners from the $100,000 Sweet Life Stakes, a turf sprint scheduled for Saturday at Santa Anita.

Ramayana, owned by breeders Perry and Ramona Bass, is the Miss Temple City's fourth named foal and first winner. Miss Temple City won seven races and $1.6 million from 20 starts for trainer Graham Motion. Her three Grade 1 victories included two against males in 2016 at Keeneland – the Maker’s Mark and Shadwell Turf Mile.

* Favorites won three pick six races Friday at Santa Anita, where the payoff for the $2 wager was $3,871.60. The return was relatively generous due to a $52,044 carryover. New money wagered Friday into the pick six totaled $337,410. Consolation payoffs, five of six, returned $61.

The winning horses in the races 4-9 pick six were Resemblance ($6.80 favorite), Imaboutago ($13.60), Liam Smith ($3.40 favorite), Enterdadragon ($21.80), Runamileinmyshoes ($5 second favorite), and Prince Dolce ($4.60 favorite).

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