McCann's Mojave best in Classic

Mike Willman and Alix Nikke Hunt's MCCANN'S MOJAVE (Memo [Chi]) went to the

lead soon after the start and never looked back in annexing the $250,000

California Cup Classic H. at Santa Anita on Sunday. Breaking alertly beneath

Jose Valdivia Jr., the perfectly ridden five-year-old set fractions of :22 3/5,

:46 2/5, 1:09 4/5 and 1:34 4/5 before completing the nine-furlong fast track

feature in 1:48 1/5. Known solely as a sprinter/middle distance type entering

the race, the bay showed an affinity for two-turn racing in taking down the

day's biggest prize at 3-1. The winner gave back $8.60, $3.80 and $3.20 while

topping the $10 exacta ($1) and $100.10 trifecta ($1) for conditioner Paddy

Gallagher.

Desert Boom (Boomerang), the 7-5 favorite, raced in second throughout but

could never get by the top one, settling for the place one-length back. The

gelding paid $3 and $2.40. Cheroot (Smokester) closed from midpack on the

inside but never threatened the top pair, finishing another length behind. Show

paid $4 for the overlooked 21-1 shot. Texcess (In Excess [Ire]) made a

threatening move turning for home but flattened out late, completing the $489.60

superfecta ($1) at 5-1. Mr. Joe C (Present Value) was next and followed by Deputy Doc Renzi

(Wild Deputy), Carano (In Excess [Ire]) and Devil Badgett (Bold Badgett). 

McCann's Mojave moved his mark to 15-7-2-0 with a bankroll that now stands at

$555,380. The bay previously captured the 2004 Potrero Grande Breeders' Cup H.

(G2), with placings coming in the Triple Bend H. (G1) and 2004 Churchill Downs

H. (G2).

The homebred is out of the multiple stakes winning Joni U. Bar (Nordic

Prince).

Also on the card of California Cup Day, Adam and Paul Lewis' TEMPTING DATE

(Perfect Mandate) sprinted to the lead and cruised home a facile half-length

winner of the $150,000

Distaff H. Trained by Jeff Mullins and ridden by Victor

Espinoza, the three-year-old lass completed the about 6 1/2 furlongs over the

firm downhill turf course in 1:12 2/5 to register her fourth win from five

career outings. Her career earnings were boosted to $199,679 following the

triumph.

In the $150,000

Sprint H., Bruce Hochman's JET WEST (Western Fame) was the

recipient of a great ride from Kent Desormeaux in earning his second stakes

victory. The Ted West trainee, who is three-for-three following a recent claim,

completed the six furlongs over the fast track in a swift 1:08 3/5. His career

line reads 13-7-1-2 with earnings of $274,249.

Harry Wilson and George V. Vinson's BAI AND BAI (Falstaff) moved to the front

turning for home and outgamed favored Sierra Sweetie (Old Topper) to the wire in winning

the $125,000

Juvenile Fillies S. Ridden by Roberto Gonzalez, the William Delia-conditioned filly finished up the 1 1/16 miles in 1:44 4/5 en route to her

initial stakes tally. With the win, the chestnut has amassed $114,323 in

earnings from a 5-3-1-0 record.

In the $150,000

Matron H., James Weigel's homebred DREAM OF SUMMER (Siberain

Summer) displayed her class when rolling late at even-money. The Grade 1 winning

six-year-old, trained by Juan Garcia and piloted by Patrick Valenzuela, got

eight-and-one-half-furlongs in a solid 1:42 1/5  in eclipsing the $1

million mark in earnings ($1,041,150) from her 17-10-2-2 line.

Bullseye Racing LLC's MOSCOW BURNING (Moscow Ballet) did not disappoint her

backers in the $100,000

Distance H., as she led every step of the way in the 10-furlong grass affair. Kent Desormeaux guided the mare home in 2:00 3/5 for

trainer James Cassidy. The five-year-old mare moved her mark to 23-9-5-2 with

earnings of $896,535.

In the $125,000

Juvenile S., Howard Roberts Farm's BRITE MANEUVERS (High

Brite) fought back on the rail after being passed and gutted out an impressive

win for trainer Steve Knapp. The juvenile gelding completed the 1 1/16 miles

beneath Corey Nakatani in 1:45 1/5 in taking his third consecutive outing. The

career line for the dark bay reads 9-3-2-3 with $119,100 in monies earned.

Dana Levy's DRAKE'S VICTORY (Victory Gallop) closed stoutly on the

outside under a splendid ride from Corey Nakatani to capture the $175,000

Mile H. In

the one-mile grass race, the Julio Canani-conditioned gelding raced home in

a swift 1:33 4/5 in taking his first stakes race. The four-year-old has now

banked $288,036 from a career line of 14-4-4-2.