Oaks News

Itty Bitty Pretty scored a big six-length victory in the San Ysabel Saturday at Santa Anita, upsetting 2-5 favorite Sabatini and snapping a three-race losing streak in the process. The daughter of El Corredor finished the 1 1/16-mile race in 1:44 3/5 with the red-hot Patrick Valenzuela aboard.

Owned by STD Racing Stable and Jason Wood and trained by Doug O'Neill, Itty Bitty Pretty was trying two turns for the first time after six sprint races. With only a maiden win to her credit, she still went off at a relatively low 9-2, likely due to her high-profile trainer/jockey combination. However, she did run a good second to Diplomat Lady in her last outing, and that one came back to win the Hollywood Starlet (GI).

With Incumbent, under Javier Santiago, sprinting to the lead early, Valenzuela was content to sit slightly back off the pace in third going down the backstretch, with Sabatini sitting just behind him. Valenzuela swung his mount three wide in the second turn, was four wide entering the stretch, and drew well clear as they neared the wire. Sabatini tried to go with Itty Bitty Pretty, but could not maintain the pace, settling for a clear second-place finish. O'Neill's other entry, Horse B With You, wound up third. I Can See, Incumbent, and Miss Fury rounded out the order of finish. Sweet Fourty was scratched.

After the race, Valenzuela commented, "The track is good, and I rated her off the pace. She did the rest."

As for the big favorite, "She ran a good race.," said Patrick Biancone, who trains Sabatini for Tabor, Magnier and Smith. (Jockey Garrett Gomez) said she was up on the inside but, on the other hand, she had a very good trip and she learned a bit more. She's a young horse, and she'll continue to improve. She learned something today which was very important for us."

Itty Bitty Pretty earned $65,520 for the victory, improving her record to 6-2-1-2. Her total bankroll stands at $129,909.

The winner reward her backers with mutuels of $11, $3 and $2.10. Sabatini returned $2.20 and $2.10 to place, while Horse B With You was worth $2.10 to show. The $1 exacta paid $9.60.

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