Amerman Racing LLC’s BALANCE (Thunder Gulch) raced in midpack behind the early pace set by
Cheerily (Ire) (Danehill Dancer) in Sunday’s $300,000
Santa Anita Oaks (G1) before
coming with a game late run to take over and pull off for the 2 1/2-length score
under Victor Espinoza. Trained by David Hofmans, the bay miss finished 1 1/16
miles on the fast Santa Anita dirt in 1:42 4/5 to pay $5.20, $3.60 and $2.10.
After an extremely even break, Cheerily moved up to take the lead, with
Balance getting swung four wide on the first turn and settling in seventh on the
outside. Quiet Kim (Real Quiet) and
Diplomat Lady (Forestry) were just in behind the pacesetter, battling for second
through a half in :47, before the latter filly inherited pacesetting duties through six furlongs
in 1:11 3/5. By this time Balance and Espinoza were moving up, going five wide
around the turn and coming four wide in the stretch. For a moment, Balance
hooked up with Quiet Kim in the stretch, but eventually drew clear for the
victory as the 8-5 second choice.
“She was excellent today,” Espinoza said. “I knew I was wide down the
backside, but she was doing it so comfortably. I would much rather lose ground
with her than maybe get her upset weaving in and out of traffic. She’s such an
awesome filly, it really doesn’t make a difference (losing ground). She’s so
much more professional now…she’s finishing up like a champion in her races.”
The runner-up gave back $13.60 and $3 at 27-1 while ending the $49 exacta
($1). Wild Fit was another three lengths behind in third and returned $2.20 as
the 6-5 favorite, completing the $111.40 trifecta ($1). Diplomat Lady, sent off at 5-1, rounded out the 7-1-9-4 superfecta ($1)
that paid $473.40 and was followed under the line by Karlee’s Kitten
(Pioneering), Sweet Belle (Deputy Commander), Horse B With You (Slewdledo), I
Can See (Flying Chevron) and Cheerily.
With Sunday’s victory, Balance earned her second Grade 1 score, having
captured the Las Virgenes S. prior to this one in her sophomore bow. In 2005,
she posted a win in the Sharp Cat S. and also placed in the Hollywood Starlet S.
(G1) and Hidden Light S. Bred by Maverick Productions Limited in Kentucky,
Balance now owns a 6-4-1-1 career mark with $513,300 in lifetime earnings.
“She’s the best three-year-old filly I’ve had,” Hofmans said. “I’m just
telling you, I’m very impressed with her. If everything’s good, that’s the plan
(to go to the May 5 Kentucky Oaks [G1]).”
Out of the winning Vertigineux (Kris S.), Balance was purchased by her
current connections for $260,000 as a Keeneland September yearling. Her dam has
also produced stakes winner Where’s Bailey (Aljabr) and a juvenile filly by
Street Cry (Ire) named Zenyatta.