Santa Anita’s winter/spring meet ended Sunday with a climactic edition of the
Grade 2, $150,000 San Juan Capistrano Invitational Handicap, as Betty and Robert
G. Irvin’s Juniper Pass just denied Imponente Purse (Brz) by a head in North
America’s longest turf stakes. Trained by Thomas “Ray” Bell II and ridden by
Rafael Bejarano, the 3-1 second choice finished the about 1 3/4-mile marathon in
2:47 3/5 on the firm course and paid $8.80, $5.40 and $3.40.
Juniper Pass was winning his second straight stakes, and both trophies have
come after prolonged drives. He wore down Dahoud (NZ) by a half-length to garner
the off-the-turf, Grade 2 San Luis Rey last time out on March 20, and was
squaring off with Dahoud and four other San Luis Rey alumni Sunday.
The fact that their rematch came on turf, and at a distance appreciably
longer than 1 1/2 miles, did not bother Juniper Pass. The different conditions
did, however, help Imponente Purse to get a lot closer than he did when a
distant third in the San Luis Rey.
Dahoud initially aimed to repeat his front-running tactics through an opening
quarter in :24 3/5, but was then overtaken by Celtic New Year and Power Series
and retreated from contention for the duration. Although Celtic New Year had his
head in front at the half-mile mark in :48 4/5, Power Series strode forward to
dictate terms through splits of 1:13 1/5, 1:40 4/5 and 2:06 4/5, and was still
on top after reaching 1 1/2 miles in 2:31 3/5.
Meanwhile, Quindici Man and Imponente Purse had been well placed in tracking
spots, and Juniper Pass was a little farther back in fifth. Imponente Purse and
Quindici Man commenced their rallies down the stretch, and were soon joined by
Juniper Pass, creating a frenetic scene as the closers bore down on Power Series
and Celtic New Year.
Imponente Purse briefly gained the lead in the final strides, only to have
Juniper Pass swoop best of all to catch him on the line. Celtic New Year stayed
on purposefully for third, just a half-length behind Imponente Purse, with
Quindici Man a close fourth.
“The pace was a concern for me in the beginning,” Bejarano said. “I was
wandering a bit in the beginning, but I wanted to make sure I was on the outside
and not lose too much ground on the turns. I got more comfortable with my horse,
then I saw the number six (Imponente Purse) make a good move from the
three-eighths pole.
“She (jockey Chantal Sutherland aboard Imponente Purse) looked like she had a
lot of horse, so I decided to follow her. As soon as I hit the stretch, I let
her make the first move. I made the second move and it worked out because my
horse always shows me a good kick in the end. He definitely improved on the
grass today.”
“They were so slow,” Bell agreed regarding the fractions. “It was a concern.
I thought maybe we should have been a little closer, but he really kicked on
home and I was very pleased with that.
“I just told Rafael to get him in a nice rhythmic stride where he’s
comfortable, and I know he’ll give him a nice finish, so I just kind of left it
in his hands. In this kind of race, you don’t want to give too many
instructions, because you never know how it’s going to unfold. The distance
makes the difference.
“It’s like Bobby Jones said about competitive golf: ‘It’s not the length of
the course they play on, it’s the distance between their ears that matters.'”
Falcon Rock (Ire) closed for fifth and was trailed by Power Series, 5-2
favorite Haimish Hy, Romp (Arg) and Dahoud. Interpatation was withdrawn.
Juniper Pass advanced his record to 12-4-1-2 and increased his earnings to
$284,380. A close third in the November 28 Grade 1 Hollywood Derby in his stakes
debut, the four-year-old was fifth in the February 19 Grade 2 San Luis Obispo
before breaking through in the San Luis Rey.
Bred by Brookdale Thoroughbreds in Kentucky, the bay son of Lemon Drop Kid
brought $92,000 as a Keeneland September yearling and $170,000 as a Barretts
March two-year-old. He is out of the unraced Coronado’s Quest mare Child Bride,
whose latest foal is an unnamed juvenile filly by War Chant. Juniper Pass’s
second dam is multiple Grade 2 heroine Chapel of Dreams, a three-quarter sister
to supersire Storm Cat. Also in the family are multiple Grade 1-winning
millionaire Ticker Tape (GB), Group 1 scorer Crowded House (GB), Grade 2 victor
Postponed, and further back, Irish highweight, Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Mile star
and noted sire Royal Academy.