3 minute read

It was a good card with three Grade 1 and three Grade 2 races on the Opening Day.

And they turned in some very exciting finishes.

Our "Aussie" Easter had no problems in winning the San Gabriel over Missed the Cut and Tio Magico.

Nor were there any problems for Anisette who proved a class above the opposition in the American Oaks.  For the record Be Your Best was second and Musical Mischief third but on the turf Anisette was much the superior horse.

The San Antonio saw Brickyard Ride lead the field for most of the race only to be swamped by Newgames and Mixto at the finish.  Quite a bit of interest in the Argentinian bred Subsanader but he wasn't able to keep up with the other runners and may need some more time to settle into his new home. Salesman was scratched.

Speed Boat Beach continued his winning ways in the Malibu Stakes accounting for stablemate Hejazi who put up a valiant fight but probably too late in the day.

The Mathis Mile produced a terrific finish as the eventual winner Watsonville and Almendares went head to head down the straight with the lead changing who know how many times.

And similar excitement in the La Brea where Daddysruby and Big Pond also had a thrilling finish to the race which went by a whisker (nose officially) to Daddysruby.  Clearly Unhinged was third but not up to the pace of the first two.