Sunset Grazen leads all the way in Golden Gate Debutante
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Sunset Grazen was the only runner in Saturday’s $75,450 Golden Gate Debutante at Pleasanton, Calif. with a previous win around two turns.
She was also the only starter in a field of 2-year-old fillies who had raced for a claiming price, winning a $16,000 claimer for maidens at a mile and 70 yards by 11 lengths on Nov. 8.
Despite a jump in class and a slightly longer trip at 1 1/16 miles, Sunset Grazen led throughout the Golden Gate Debutante, setting a slow pace and holding off a sustained run from the maiden Lolo Le Plume to win by a head.
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Ridden by Santos Rivera, Sunset Grazen ($16.60) was timed in 1:46.51 and earned a career-best Beyer Speed Figure of 63.
Lolo Le Plume (9-2) finished five lengths clear of 2-1 Big Soiree. Border Control, the 6-5 favorite on the strength of a seven-length win in her debut in a six-furlong maiden race on Oct. 26, was in contention entering the stretch, but faded to finish fourth.
Dutton Street Girl and Hello Kid O Kid O completed the order of finish.
Sunset Grazen started from the inside post and set a slow pace of 25.36 seconds for the opening quarter-mile and 50.08 for a half-mile, leading by 1 1/2 lengths over Border Control.
Entering the stretch, Lolo Le Plume posed a threat on the outside of Sunset Grazen, but could not pass. Lolo Le Plume had finished fifth twice and ninth once in three one-mile maiden races on turf in Southern California from early September to early November. The Golden Gate Debutante was her Northern California debut.
Sunset Grazen, who is by Grazen, races for owner and trainer Sam Calvario. The filly was third in $50,000 claiming races for statebred maidens at Del Mar on Aug. 16 and at Santa Anita on Oct. 13 when trained by Dean Pederson for Legacy Ranch, who bred the filly.
Sunset Grazen’s ownership was transferred to Calvario before her win on Nov. 8. She has earned $61,680.
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