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Naughty Rafaela takes Santa Barbara T N T Stud's homebred NAUGHTY RAFAELA (Brz) (Royal Academy) advanced on the rail entering the stretch and collared leader Sweet Belle (Deputy Commander) in midstretch on her way to a one-length victory in the $200,000 Santa Barbara H. (G2) over the good Santa Anita turf on Saturday. Rating well off the pace early beneath David Flores, the Bobby Frankel charge commenced her run on the far turn, taking the lead late and holding Mabadi (Sahm) at bay under the wire. The winner was sent off as the 5-2 second choice and paid $7.20, $4 and $2.60, while keying $1 exotics of $36.70 (exacta), $246.90 (trifecta) and $1,381 (8-6-5-3 superfecta). The final time was 1:48 for 1 1/8 miles, as the race was shortened from its scheduled distance of 10 furlongs due to inclement weather and potentially hazardous conditions over the dirt portion of the turf course. Mabadi was near the back of the pack until the lane but closed with good energy to finish a half-length clear in second. At 16-1, the miss paid $11.40 and $6.20. Sweet Belle led until midstretch but tired late, retaining third while 2 1/2 lengths in front of her nearest pursuer. Show paid for the 11-1 shot. Quick as Ray (Brz) (Nedawi) completed the super and was followed by Solva (GB) (Singspiel [Ire]), Grat (A.P. Indy) and 2-1 choice Live Life (Fr) (Linamix). Flip Flop (Fr) (Zieten) was withdrawn. Naughty Rafaela earned her second win in succession while moving her mark to 11-4-2-2, $206,224. The bay mare, who is a Group 1 winner in her native Brazil, was third in the La Zanzara H. two prior. She is out of the Linamix mare Risamixa (Fr).
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