Warren's Showtime gets first dirt win in Melair Stakes

Warren’s Showtime proved in Sunday’s $150,500 Melair Stakes at Santa Anita that she is much more than a turf specialist.

Despite a wide trip, Warren’s Showtime won for the first time on dirt in her 10th start in the Melair Stakes for California-bred 3-year-old fillies.

“This is a really nice filly,” trainer Craig Lewis said. “She can do everything.”

Warren’s Showtime was third in two stakes for statebred fillies on dirt – in November and again last month when she had a troubled trip in the Evening Jewel Stakes at six furlongs. Warren’s Showtime has won three one-mile turf stakes in her career.

Ridden in the Melair by regular rider Jose Velez, Warren’s Showtime was fifth on the backstretch and closed with a four-wide move on the turn before reaching early stretch.

Warren’s Showtime ($10.60) finished a length in front of 8-5 Smiling Shirlee, winner of the Evening Jewel Stakes. Big Sweep, who beat males in the six-furlong Echo Eddie Stakes on May 16 in her stakes debut, finished third as the 4-5 favorite.

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Warren’s Showtime was timed in 1:44.29 for 1 1/16 miles and earned a Beyer Speed Figure of 85.

“She trains forwardly on the dirt,” Lewis said. “I think she might better on grass, but I had confidence she could run on dirt.”

Reiwa (22-1) set the early pace of 23.75 seconds for the opening quarter-mile and 47.47 for a half-mile, closely tracked by Big Sweep and Smiling Shirlee. On the turn, Warren’s Showtime reached contention rapidly and led by a length with a furlong remaining.

The stewards conducted an inquiry into an incident on the first turn when Smiling Shirlee bumped with 40-1 Homehome, but did not change the order of finish.

Homehome finished fourth, followed by Kristi’s Tiger and Reiwa in the field of six.

Warren’s Showtime was third in her career debut in a maiden special weight race on dirt. Last month, Lewis was left wondering what Warren’s Showtime could have done with a clean trip in the Evening Jewel Stakes.

“She got eliminated,” he said. “She was making a nice run and a horse came over on her.”

Warren’s Showtime, by Clubhouse Ride, has won 5 of 10 starts and earned $412,251 for owners and breeders Ben and Sally Warren. Lewis said stakes at Del Mar such as the $125,000 Fleet Treat Stakes for statebred fillies at seven furlongs on July 24 or the Grade 2 San Clemente Stakes at a mile on turf July 25 will be considered.

Warren’s Showtime has yet to run in a graded stakes.