Santa Monica

Arturo Vargas' homebred SALT CHAMP (Arg) (Salt Lake) came home with a burst

of energy to take home the top prize in the $250,000

Santa Monica H. (G1) at

Santa Anita on Sunday. Trained by Richard Mandella, the five-year-old mare had

just one beat as the group went through fractions of :21 3/5 and :44 1/5 to the

half. Turning for home, jockey Gary Stevens began to urge his mount and she

responded, taking the lead in late stretch and completing the seven-furlong fast

track contest in 1:22, winning by one length. The Argentinean bred was sent off

at 5-1 and gave back $13, $5.80 and $4, while keying a $20.40 exacta ($1) and

$116.40 trifecta ($1).

Island Fashion (Petionville), the 3-2 betting favorite, swept three wide

approaching the stretch to take the lead, and appeared to be well on her way to

a Santa Monica repeat, but could not hold off the winner's charge. The favorite

was good for $3.40 and $2.60. Resplendency (Tale of the Cat) moved into prime

contention in the lane and dueled valiantly with Island Fashion, before tiring

in the very late stages in what was a strong third-place effort. Show paid $3.60

for the 6-1 shot. Royally Chosen (In Excess [Ire]) came next and was trailed by

pacesetter Born To Dance (Service Stripe), Tamweel (Gulch), Platinum Princess

(Wolf Power [SAf]), Tizakitty (Distinctive Cat) and Irgunette (Aus) (Irgun).

Yearly Report (General Meeting) was withdrawn.

Salt Champ previously lassoed a trio of Group 1 races in her native

Argentina, with a pair of Group 1 placings to her credit. Her career line reads

8-5-1-1 with a bankroll of $217,541. She was bred in Argentina and produced from

the multiple Group 3-placed Fitzcarraldo mare Wandel.