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Indian Blessing rolls in La Brea

Indian Blessing has never finished worse than second (Benoit Photo) Hal and Patti Earnhardt's homebred champion INDIAN BLESSING (Indian Charlie) took command at the top of the stretch and powered home a 1 1/2-length winner of the $250,000 La Brea S. (G1) at Santa Anita on Saturday. Trained by Bob Baffert and ridden by John Velazquez, the superb sophomore finished off seven panels over the Pro-Ride in 1:20 4/5 and paid $3.20, $2.60 and $2.10 as the 1-2 favorite. Indyanne (Indian Charlie) broke best and led the way through opening splits of :22 2/5 and :45 for the opening half-mile, with Indian Blessing breathing down her neck waiting for her cue. Indyanne turned for home in front but was pulled up at the top of the stretch. Indian Blessing took advantage, surging to a clear lead, and easily kept her rivals at bay to the wire. Indyanne suffered a fractured left front sesamoid, according to Dr. Jill Bailey, the veterinarian representing the Los Angeles Turf Club, and was taken to her barn to be examined further by a private veterinarian.

"This was a bittersweet win," Baffert said. "I'm very sad about what happened to the other gray filly (Indyanne)."

Ginger Pop (El Prado [Ire]) moved into range approaching the final turn and finished well while inside to earn the place spot as the nearly 48-1 longshot. The runner-up was good for $19.20 and $6.80 while completing the $45.50 exacta ($1). The $1 trifecta returned $142 with 3-1 second choice Bsharpsonata (Pulpit) a nose back in third after racing wide throughout. The $1 supefercta (4-7-10-5) paid out $496.40 with Foxy Danseur (Mr. Greeley) in fourth. Never Retreat (Smart Strike) and Laureldean Gale (Grand Slam) came next under the wire. Accopela Choir (Vicar), Country Star (Empire Maker) and She's Cheeky (Black Minnaloushe) were withdrawn.

Indian Blessing boosted her bankroll to $2,437,200 with this win, improving her stellar mark to 12-9-3-0 in the process. A sharp second in the Breeders' Cup Filly and Mare Sprint when last seen, the dark bay was voted champion two-year-old in 2007 following her romp in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Filly (G1). The eight-time graded stakes heroine boasts tallies in the Frizette S. (G1), Test S. (G1), Prioress S. (G1), Gallant Bloom S. (G2), Santa Ynez S. (G2) and Silverbulletday S. (G3), in addition to this one.

"The Dubai World Cup ($2 million Golden Shaheen [UAE-G1] at six furlongs) will be next for her," Baffert said of the winner. "She's better (now) than she was for the Breeders' Cup. She's stronger now. She ran well (in the Breeders' Cup), but she didn't run like she did today."

The Kentucky-bred Indian Blessing is out of stakes winner and multiple Grade 3-placed Shameful (Flying Chevron), who has also produced unnamed yearling and weanling colts by Roman Ruler. She comes from the same family as Japanese Horse of the Year Zenno Rob Roy (Sunday Silence), Grade 1 heroines Cat's Cradle (Flying Paster) and Roamin Rachel (Mining), and Grade 3 victress Another (Seattle Slew).

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