This Tea retired; finished second twice to As Time Goes By
ARCADIA, Calif. – This Tea, second in two Grade 2 stakes for fillies and mares in recent months at Santa Anita, has been retired after being diagnosed with an ankle injury, trainer George Papaprodromou said Sunday.
This Tea, a 4-year-old filly by Curlin, had one win in 13 starts and earned $165,320. She finished second by 9 1/4 lengths to As Time Goes By in the Grade 2 Santa Margarita Stakes on April 24, and second by a nose at 23-1 to that rival in the Grade 2 Santa Maria Stakes on May 22.
“We could come back, but why risk it?” Papaprodromou said. “We don’t want to take any chances. She got beat by a good filly.”
Papaprodromou said owner Rustin Kretz plans to keep This Tea, who recently was shipped out of the trainer’s stable.
Papaprodromou said he and Kretz are looking forward to the career debut of Cabo Spirit, a colt by Pioneerof the Nile recently purchased for $575,000 at a 2-year-olds in training sale in Florida. Cabo Spirit is expected to start at the Del Mar summer meeting, which begins July 16.