Cupid Filly Plays Santa Anita Oaks Spoiler

[Wandering Eyes]

While Saturday's GII Santa Anita Oaks seemed all but a procession for 13-length GIII Las Virgenes S. romper Adare Manor (Uncle Mo) in her first start since being transferred from Bob Baffert to Tim Yakteen, DESERT DAWN (f, 3, Cupid–Ashley's Glory, by Honour and Glory)–the longest shot in the field of five at higher than 14-1 odds–had other ideas. Desert Dawn broke well from the fence before tucking in to sit third as her seemingly much more formidable stablemate Ain't Easy (Into Mischief) set off to show the way with the imposing presence of Adare Manor looming to her outside. The leading duo opened several lengths on their competition down the backside through splits of :23.05 and :46.46. Adare Manor quickly went from looking like a sure thing to in deep water as pilot John Velazquez hit the gas but seemed to not quite find the response he was looking for. Desert Dawn then ranged up to join the others three deep, and kicked clear in upper stretch. Adare Manor found more to battle back through the stretch, but she could never quite regain her momentum and Desert Dawn crossed the wire a head to the good in 1:43.50. Ain't Easy checked in a distant third.

A second-out graduate going a mile at Del Mar last August, Desert Dawn was third in the GII Chandelier S. behind Ain't Easy over track and trip in October before checking in last of sixth behind Echo Zulu (Gun Runner) in the GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Nov. 5. She was fourth to the Baffert-trained Eda (Munnings) in both the GI Starlet S. at Los Al Dec. 4 and again in the local GIII Santa Ysabel S. Mar. 5.

Desert Dawn is the second graded stakes winner from her sire (by Tapit)'s first crop.

Sales history: $32,000 RNA ylg '20 OBSOCT. Lifetime Record: 7-2-0-2. O/B-H & E Ranch (AZ). T-Philip D'Amato.

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