Summer Colony upsets La Canada

ARCADIA, Calif. - A Saturday morning telephone conversation between jockeys Gary Stevens and John Velazquez helped Summer Colony extend her winning streak to 6 with an upset in the $200,000 * at Santa Anita.

Stevens, riding Summer Colony for the first time, conferred with Velazquez, who has won aboard her four times.

"The main thing he wanted me to know was that she didn't need to be in front," Stevens said.

With the strategy session on his mind, Stevens gave Summer Colony an ideal trip in the Grade 2 La Canada.

Making her first start in California, Summer Colony ($15) won by a length over Azeri, finishing 1 1/8 miles on the main track in 1:49.26. Ask Me No Secrets finished third, and was followed by Affluent, Royally Chosen and Sea Reel.

Azeri and Ask Me No Secrets were making their stakes debuts. Affluent was trying to become the first 4-year-old filly to sweep the three-race La Canada Series in 17 years, bu finished 3 1-2 lengths behind the winner.

"I had a clear shot at the head of the stretch but no horse," Delahoussaye said.

Summer Colony was third for the first seven furlongs, chasing the pace of 23.93 and 48.37 seconds. With a three-wide rally, she joined the leaders in early stretch.

"I didn't want to go too early," Stevens said. "At the quarter-pole, she showed a lot of acceleration."

Summer Colony will return to Florida, according to trainer Mark Hennig, who watched the race from Gulfstream Park. Owned by Edward Evans, Summer Colony has won 6 of 12 starts and $319,930.

"I was worried a little in the middle of the turn," Hennig said. "It looked like he started to ask her and she didn't make up ground. She's got so much stamina she can make that long run. This was the toughest race she's been in."

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