Vodka Vodka possible for Santa Anita Handicap after Unusual Heat triumph

ARCADIA, Calif. - Vodka Vodka’s first stakes win in Saturday’s $175,000 Unusual Heat Turf Classic for older California-breds at Santa Anita may lead to his Grade 1 debut in the $300,000 Santa Anita Handicap on March 7.

Vodka Vodka was confidently handled by Hall of Fame jockey Kent Desormeaux, stalking the pace before winning by a half-length over the fast-closing filly Hey Jessie.

“He was touting himself at the half-mile pole,” Desormeaux said.

Vodka Vodka ($3.80) stalked 14-1 Stamp My Passport, who set a moderate pace of 23.58 seconds for the opening quarter-mile and 48.02 for a half-mile.

Vodka Vodka took the lead in early stretch and was eager when challenged.

“He jumped in the bridle without being asked and he said, 'No, you don’t,' ” Desormeaux said.

Vodka Vodka led by a half-length with a furlong remaining. His advantage widened before 6-1 Hey Jessie made a late run. Hey Jessie, trained by Sean McCarthy, raced against males for the first time on Saturday in her 10th start.

“I was really happy with it,” McCarthy said. “She showed a good turn of foot. Can’t knock the race at all.

“We were getting to ‘em. The winner is a good horse.”

Vodka Vodka ran 1 1/8 miles on turf in 1:48.12, and earned a Beyer Speed Figure of 84.

Stamp My Passport held third, followed by Call Me Sir, Stop Digging, None Above the Law, Freeport Joe and Mr. Disrespectful, the 3-1 second choice who was eased after drifting out on the turn.

Vodka Vodka, a 5-year-old by Stay Thirsty, has won 4 of 11 starts and earned $359,950. He has won four of his last six starts since returning from a layoff of slightly more than 12 months last August.

“In the time off, he matured,” trainer Aggie Ordonez said. “He’s as sound as a bell now.”

Ordonez, who turned 58 on Thursday, won the richest stakes of her career on Saturday. She co-owns Vodka Vodka with a larger partnership that includes breeders Jerry and Connie Baker, and McLean Racing Stables.

Vodka Vodka won an allowance race at 1 1/16 miles on dirt at Del Mar on Oct. 31 and was fourth by seven lengths in his stakes debut in the Grade 2 Laffit Pincay Jr., Stakes at Santa Anita on Dec. 28. He was well beaten in the Pincay by Nysos, a candidate for the $20 million Saudi Cup in Saudi Arabia on Feb. 14.

Ordonez said she would like to try Vodka Vodka in the Santa Anita Handicap at 1 1/4 miles on dirt, a distance she says the gelding prefers.

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