Surrender Now dominates Landaluce

Surrender Now dueled Gorgeous Ginny into submission before drawing off to a romping eight-length victory in Sunday’s $100,345 Landaluce Stakes at Santa Anita Park.

The bay daughter of Morning Line was sent off the 3-2 favorite, and duked it out with 8-5 second choice Gorgeous Ginny through an opening quarter in :22.45. Surrender Now wrested away control of the race nearing the lane and pulled off under a hand ride from jockey Norberto Arroryo Jr.

The Peter Miller trainee stopped the clock in 1:03.84 for 5 1/2 furlongs on the fast main track and returned $5 while moving her record to a perfect two-for-two.

Gorgeous Ginny easily held second by 1 1/2 lengths over 21-1 longshot Spirit of Shanghai, while Empress of Lov rounded out the top four under the wire. Sauce on Side and Bonneville Flats completed the order of finish.

Campaigned by Gary Hartunian’s Rockingham Ranch, Surrender Now broke her maiden by two lengths on June 9 going five furlongs at Santa Anita. She’s now banked $92,400 in lifetime earnings.

Surrender Now was bred in Kentucky by Elaine MacPherson, and is the second registered foal out of the Stormy Atlantic mare Surrender. Her fourth dam is Broodmare of the Year Glowing Tribute, from whom is descended the likes of Kentucky Derby (G1) winner Sea Hero and European champion sprint Mozart.

LANDALUCE QUOTES

Norberto Arroryo Jr., jockey Surrender Now, winner

“I was hoping to not have to use her more than I did in her first time out. I think she ran against much tougher competition in that race. Doug O’Neill had his filly, Tyfosha, in that race and they paid a lot for her, she’s nice. I was hoping to not have to use my filly anywhere near as much today because I didn’t think it was the same type of field.

“She was much the best in here, much the best. I haven’t even let her run yet. Not in the mornings and not in the afternoons. We don’t know what she can do, we haven’t had to use her. She’s exciting.”

Peter Miller, trainer Surrender Now, winner

“I told Gary (Hartunian) this is the best two-year-old filly I’ve been around in 15 years, since I was prepping babies for Golden Eagle Farm. We had a filly named Yearly Report and she went to (Bob) Baffert and did very well.

“The two (second choice Gorgeous Ginny) is a very nice filly, but I don’t think she ran her race today. We had the advantage of being outside her and my filly continues to progress.

“I was relieved when I saw her open up. I was elated and happy to see it. At the quarter-pole I thought we were good. I saw the two look like she might be getting out and when we came by her, it looked like Norberto hadn’t even asked her so I felt pretty good.

“She’s been a good filly all along. Sometimes they work like that and run like crap. And other times they duplicate it. It’s nice to see one work great and run great.”

Gary Hartunian, owner Surrender Now, winner

“Norberto makes me nervous because he’s so patient. I guess he knows what he’s doing!  (Bob) Baffert ran a nice filly earlier (Diamondsandpearls, an impressive maiden special weight winner of the 2ND race). We’ll probably run against her next time, so maybe Pete and Bob can have a boxing match before the races.”