(March 13, 2004) - The anticipated showdown between three-year-old fillies Halfbridled and A.P. Adventure was upstaged by the emergence of Silent Sighs, who took Saturday's $300,000 Santa Anita Oaks (GI) by 1 1/2 lengths. Silent Sighs was coming off a victory in the Sunshine Million Oaks at Gulfstream Park January 24.

Silent Sighs, under jockey David Flores, broke in second position, and held it for the first three-quarters of a mile behind longshot pacesetter Salty Romance. A. P. Adventure and Halfbridled ran comfortably in third and fourth, respectively, behind the top pair. Silent Sighs took over from the fading Salty Romance near the top of the stretch. Meanwhile, A.P. Adventure was shuffled back behind Salty Romance. Silent Sighs cleared from her pursuers in midstretch while running on the wrong lead. Jockey David Flores kept her to the task, and she crossed the in 1:42.84 for the 1 1/16 miles. Halfbridled ran on willingly for the place, finishing 1 1/2 lengths in front of A.P. Adventure, who re-rallied up the rail to take the show.

Hollywood Story, Stellar Jayne, Vencedora Amiga, and Salty Romance completed the order of finish.

Silent Sighs, a California bred Benchmark filly, won her fourth start from five career outings. This was her first start against open company. Her only loss came against House Of Fortune, who recently won the California Oaks by seventeen lengths. The win was worth $180,000 to owner Mr. and Mrs. Martin Wygod and trainer Julio Canani, who each won their first Santa Anita Oaks.

The winner returned $15.40, $5.20, and $2.40. Halfbridled paid $2.60 and $2.10 to place. A.P. Adventure's show was $2.20. The $2 exacta returned $32.80

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