Three Degrees captures Honeymoon Breeders' Cup
INGLEWOOD, Calif. - Forget morning gallops or workouts, racing is what Three Degrees enjoys.
Sunday, Three Degrees won her first stakes in the $197,125 at Hollywood Park, earning a berth to the $750,000 American Oaks on July 3.
Three Degrees ($6) rallied from 10th in a field of 13 3-year-old fillies to win the Honeymoon by a length under Gary Stevens. She finished 1 1-8 miles on turf in a quick 1:46.84.
She's really surprises me in the afternoon," trainer Paddy Gallagher said. "In the mornings, she's just another horse."
After encountering traffic on the first turn, Three Degrees was about five lengths behind pacesetter Thatswhatimean through early fractions of 23.46 and 47.25 seconds. Stevens did not urge her into contention until the final turn when Three Degrees rallied three-wide. She was within two lengths of Thatswhatimean at the eighth pole and took the lead in the final furlong.
Thatswhatimean, sent off at 15-1, held second, finishing three-quarters of a length in front of 14-1 Isla Cozzene, who was always close.
The disappointment of the race was Berbatim, the winner of the Providencia Stakes at Santa Anita in April. She stumbled badly at the start, causing jockey Alex Solis to lose his irons. Berbatim was pulled up on the final turn.
Three Degrees, who races for a partnership, has won 3 of 6 starts and $169,559.
The victory marked the third victory in four American starts. Three Degrees was a maiden when she arrived from England over the winter.
* Puxa Saco ($4) won her first graded stakes in her 20th career start in the $106,400 for fillies and mares.
Ridden by Mike Smith, Puxa Saco rallied from fourth to score a convincing three-length win, finishing six furlongs in 1:09.79. Tucked Away finished second, two lengths in front of Ramatuelle in the field of five.
Puxa Saco broke well and tracked pacesetters Abounding Truth and Quick Cover through early fractions of 22.21 and 45.33. She challenged for the lead in early stretch and quickly drew clear.
Owned by Richard Rowan, Puxa Saco has won six races and $400,575.