Tom's Regret ends five-race skid with Schmitt Pleasanton Oaks triumph
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Tom’s Regret finished second in three consecutive starts at Santa Anita in the spring – twice in stakes for California-breds and the Grade 3 Senorita Stakes.
The filly’s summer season began with a much brighter performance. Tom’s Regret won her second career stakes, and ended a five-race losing streak, with an easy win in Sunday’s $75,900 Mary Clare Schmitt Pleasanton Oaks for statebred 3-year-old fillies at the Alameda County Fair in Pleasanton, Calif.
Ridden by Kyle Frey, Tom’s Regret ($3.60) closed from last on the backstretch to take command of the six-furlong race on the turn. Frey moved Tom’s Regret on the inside to challenge pacesetter Lady Wolf, who quickly faded from contention.
Tom’s Regret was clear of six rivals with a furlong remaining
“I knew with her long stride she would eat up the stretch,” Frey told a television audience.
Tom’s Regret was timed in 1:11.32, and won by 4 1/2 lengths over 2-1 Big Sis Little Sis, who closed from off the pace to finish 1 1/4 lengths in front of 8-1 Just a Little Luck. Tom’s Regret earned a career-best Beyer Speed Figure of 81.
The remaining order of finish was Rousing Jewel, Jersey Sunset, I’m a Risque Girl and Lady Wolf. Pappy’s Girl was scratched earlier on Sunday.
Tom’s Regret, trained by Steve Miyadi, races for the partnership of Cinema Thoroughbreds, Michelle Beckerle, Saul Carrillo, Victor Flores, Burton Johnston and Eugene Zondlo.
Tom’s Regret won her first two starts, including the Kentucky Juvenile Stakes at Churchill Downs against males in May 2022. She was second in the Fasig-Tipton Debutante Stakes for 2-year-old fillies at Santa Anita in June 2022 before being switched from trainer Jorge Periban to Miyadi.
Tom’s Regret did not race again until earlier this year when she finished third in an allowance race at Golden Gate Fields in March.
She was later second in three consecutive stakes at Santa Anita - by 15 1/2 lengths behind Ceiling Crusher in the Evening Jewel Stakes, by a neck to Teena Ella in the Grade Senorita Stakes on turf, and by 17 lengths to Ceiling Crusher in the Melair Stakes at 1 1/16 miles on May 28.
Tom’s Regret, by Tom’s Tribute, has earned $291,253. The Schmitt Stakes honored the memory of the late Northern California-based owner and breeder who died earlier this year.
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