Schramsberg scores in Connally Turf

Southern Anthem (Royal Anthem), runner-up in the Sycamore S. (G3) at

Keeneland in October, followed Schramsberg home. Grade 1 winner Stately Victor

(Ghostzapper) was making his seasonal bow, and first turf start since last

summer, in this spot off a nose second in the Prairie Bayou S. and rallied well

to be third as the 3-2 favorite.

"He was moving well and handled the turf course fine," jockey Alan Garcia

said of Stately Victor. "By the time he got in gear, it was too late."

It was another head back to And Music Came, who was followed by Deputiformer

(Silver Deputy), Fifteen Love (Point Given), Spinning Touch (Touchdown  Ky)

and Barrier Reef (Mizzen Mast). Stachys (Candy Ride [Arg]) was scratched.

Schramsberg was looking for his first win since adding a first black-type to

his resume in October's Remington Green S. on the turf. He was unable to make an

impact in the River City H. (G3) next out, then attempted to wire the Zia Park

Distance Championship H. on the main track, eventually finishing second. The

chestnut made his five-year-old bow in the Winsham Lad S. but could do no better

than fifth in that dirt test.

"This was a good spot to run the horse," Hartman said. "It's a Grade 3 and

the horse is extremely well bred."

In an attempt to get his charge back on the winning track, Hartman decided to

try a jockey switch to Landeros from Ramsey Zimmerman, who had piloted

Schramsberg in his past five races. The change went smoothly, according to

Hartman.

"He's ridden for me in the past," he remarked. "I thought he'd fit the horse

well. I told him that the horse needed to be covered up and that's what I asked

Chris to do. He put a beautiful ride on the horse."

Hartman indicated that Schramsberg might return to Sam Houston for the

$150,000 Maxxam Gold Cup on March 5.

Bred in Kentucky by the Bob and Beverly Lewis Trust, Schramsberg RNAed for

$1.4 million as a Keeneland September yearling in 2007. He is out of champion

Serena's Song (Storm Cat), who captured 11 Grade 1s during her career and beat

the boys on more than one occasion. The mare has also produced Group 1 scorer

Sophisticat (Storm Cat), Grade 2 victors Grand Reward (Storm Cat) and Harlington

(Unbridled), multiple stakes winner Serena's Time (Mr. Prospector) and an

unnamed yearling filly by Street Cry (Ire).

Serena's Song is out of Imagining (Northfields), making her a half-sister to

Grade 3 heroine Vivid Imagination (Raise a Man). Others of note in this family

include Grade 2 star Doubles Partner (Rock Hard Ten) and Grade 3 winner Wander

Mom (Maria's Mon).