Oaks News

Photo By: Benoit

Balance (far left) collars pacesetters Diplomat Lady and Meetmeinthewoods as the Las Virgenes field hits the top of the stretch Saturday afternoon at Santa Anita.

ARCADIA, CA. (February 11, 2006) Amerman Racing's Balance got back to her winning ways with an impressive victory over a top-class field in the Gr. I Las Virgenes Saturday at Santa Anita. The victory in the one-mile event vaults Balance to the fore of the 3-year-old filly division on the West coast and instantly makes her one of the early favorites for the Gr. I Kentucky Oaks to be run on the first Friday in May at Churchill Downs.

Balance and jockey Victor Espinoza were content to settle in a comfortable position down the backstretch behind dueling pacesetters Meetmeinthewoods and Diplomat Lady through a grueling half-mile in 45.72. As they rounded the far turn, Meetmeinthewoods and Diplomat Lady were visibly fazed after six furlongs in 1:09.98, and Balance was ready to pounce on the weakening pacesetters.

Balance, the 5-2 second choice, cruised by that pair with little resistance and kicked clear for home. Wild Fit, the 2-1 favorite in the field of seven, put together a solid rally through traffic to be a fast-closing runner up, finishing a half-length behind Balance at the wire. The final time for the mile was 1:36.54.

The victory gave Balance her third win from five starts with the only blemishes on her resume being a disqualification from first to third in the Hidden Light Stakes on the grass at Santa Anita and a second place finish in the Gr. I Hollywood Starlet where she was beaten by just a half-length. The $150,000 winner's share increased her career earnings to $333,300.

"I certainly wasn't surprised by her effort," said trainer David Hofmans after his star filly's triumphant run. "She always tries no matter what she does. She had been training really well and I gave her a little time while we were trying to teach her to relax more."

Espinoza was also pleased with Balance's performance.

"She was very nice and relaxed today," he said. "David (Hofmans) trained her great. The last time (in the Hollywood Starlet) I tried to take too much hold off her. Today she was perfect."

Wild Fit made a good showing in her first race since finishing second in the Breeder's Cup Juvenile Fillies last October behind Eclipse award winner Forklore. Trainer Patrick Biancone, who acquired the gray filly after owner Michael Tabor purchased Wild Fit for $3 million a few months back at auction, thought before the Las Virgenes that his protégé would need a race, but was very pleased with her seasonal debut.

"I am very pleased with how she ran off such a long rest and I am looking forward to her next start."

Both Balance and Wild Fit are likely set for what will be a highly anticipated rematch in the Gr. I $300,000 Santa Anita Oaks on Mar.

A daughter of Thunder Gulch, Balance returned $7.20 for the win. The Doug O'Neill-trained Itty Bitty Pretty finished third.

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