Stellar Wind all out to prevail in Summertime Oaks

ARCADIA, Calif. - Stellar Wind ran to expectations when she won her third stakes of 2015 in Saturday’s $200,250 Summertime Oaks at Santa Anita.

She did not necessarily run to her odds. A heavy favorite, Stellar Wind ($2.80) was tested to the wire by Tara’s Tango, winning by a nose.

“Our filly ran well,” said winning trainer John Sadler. “If you’re 2-5, you’re supposed to win a little easier. That other filly is a good filly.”

Victor Espinoza, who won the Triple Crown on American Pharoah this spring, rode Stellar Wind, who ran 1 1/16 miles in 1:42.53. Tara’s Tango, a 9-2 shot making her graded stakes debut, finished 3 1/4 lengths in front of 18-1 Conquest Curlgirl, who beat maidens in her last start here on May 7.

Sheer Pleasure was fourth, followed by Scat Means Go. Roksana, a 20-1 shot, was pulled up by jockey Rafael Bejarano on the first turn when her saddle slipped. All Star Bub, Danette, Fantastic Style, and Guild were scratched on Saturday morning.

Stellar Wind had a wide trip throughout. She was three wide on the backstretch while racing in fourth, about two lengths behind Conquest Curlgirl, who set a modest pace of 23.94 seconds for the opening quarter-mile and 48.26 seconds for a half-mile. Continuing wide, Stellar Wind was second on the turn, racing alongside Conquest Curlgirl and Tara’s Tango. In the stretch, Tara’s Tango held a small lead, but could not keep the advantage under jockey Mike Smith.

Smith said he had to keep Tara’s Tango near the front because of pressure from Espinoza.

“He made an early move on me,” Smith said. “It was a good move. I was really proud of her. With this race under her belt, she should go forward.”

Stellar Wind is unbeaten in three starts at Santa Anita, having won the Grade 3 Santa Ysabel Stakes in February and the Grade 1 Santa Anita Oaks in April. She was fourth as the 3-1 favorite in the Kentucky Oaks at Churchill Downs on May 1.

The first two finishers are associated with Barbara Banke’s Stonestreet Stable. Stonestreet bred Stellar Wind in partnership and owns Tara’s Tango.

Stellar Wind races for Kosta and Pete Hronis. By Curlin, Stellar Wind has won 4 of 6 starts and earned $493,200. Sadler said that plans for the filly are unclear, with turf races at Del Mar and graded stakes on dirt on other circuits to be considered.