Alpha Kitten roars in Santa Ynez

Mr. and Mrs. Jerome Moss' homebred ALPHA KITTEN (Tale of the Cat) made a

sweeping move approaching the final turn and strode home an impressive 1

1/2-length winner of the $150,000

Santa Ynez S. (G2) at Santa Anita on Saturday.

Trained by John Sadler, the talented sophomore was content to sit off the early

pace early prior to putting in her devastating late run, eventually finishing

off seven furlongs over the Pro-Ride in 1:21 4/5. The 3-2 favorite paid $5,

$2.80 and $2.40 while keying $1 gimmicks worth $5.20 (exacta), $39.50 (trifecta) and

$138.30 (9-8-2-1 superfecta) beneath Tyler Baze.

Evita Argentina (Candy Ride [Arg]), also conditioned by Sadler, was last for

the opening half-mile and had just one horse beaten in midstretch, but the 2-1

second choice made a determined late run to garner place honors. The runner-up

was 1 3/4 lengths clear of third and paid $2.80 and $2.60. Nan (High Yield)

closed with good energy to finish third at 19-1, a head clear of pacesetter

Candilejas (Candy Ride [Arg]). Show was worth $4.60. Deeveetee (Doneraile Court)

was fifth and trailed by Empressive Lady (Empire Maker) while Turtle Creek Babe

(Grand Slam) completed the order of finish. Real Fancy Runner (Johannesburg), Pinkarella (Malibu Moon) and Spanish Ice (Spanish Steps) were withdrawn.

Alpha Kitten broke her maiden in fine fashion in her debut at Del Mar in

August, and followed that with a closing second in the Anoakia S. over this

oval. After a brief freshening, the gray was a useful fourth in the Hollywood

Starlet S. (G1). Her career line reads 4-2-1-0, $162,870.

The winner was bred in the Bluegrass State and is out of Alpha Mama (Unbridled's

Song), who is a full sister to 2003 Matron S. (G1) queen Marylebone. Alpha Mama is also

responsible for an unnamed juvenile colt by Awesome Again. This is the same

family as three-time Grade 1 hero and current sire Came Home (Gone West).