Golden Doc A comes calling in Las Virgenes

After just missing by a head to champion Indian Blessing (Indian Charlie) in the Santa Ynez S. (G2), GOLDEN DOC A (Unusual Heat) would not be denied in Saturday's $250,000 Las Virgenes S. (G1), closing from last to first to win by a length. Ridden by Rafael Bejarano, the Barry Abrams-trained sophomore filly notched her first graded win and confirmed her status as a top contender on the West Coast for the Kentucky Oaks (G1).

Favored at 8-5 over five rivals, Golden Doc A rated at the back of the pack as Lovely Isle (Double Honor) and Peisinoe (Yes It's True) argued the pace through opening splits in :23 1/5 and :46. The eventual winner advanced three wide on the far turn into contention and wore down Lovely Isle in deep stretch, finishing a mile in 1:35 4/5 over Santa Anita's revamped Cushion Track. Golden Doc A returned $5.20, $2.80 and $2.40.

Lovely Isle, the 4-1 third choice, easily held second by 2 3/4 lengths and paid $4.80 and $3.40. Grade 3 winner Tasha's Miracle (Harlan's Holiday), the 5-2 second favorite, offered a briefly menacing move before flattening out in midstretch and gave back $3 for show. The $1 exacta totaled $12.40, and the $1 trifecta (4-3-6) was $33.90. Divine Legacy (Full Mandate), Grace Anatomy (Aldebaran) and Peisinoe came next under the wire. Czechers (Indian Charlie) was scratched.

Bred in California by David Abrams, Golden Doc A was recently purchased by Ron McCauley.

"It's our first trip here, our first time to run a horse (at Santa Anita) and it's been really, really good to have Golden Doc A take us to the winner's circle," said McCauley, who is from Lexington, Kentucky. "This is strictly beginner's luck from Kentucky."

Abrams said he never doubted the eventual outcome.

"I was confident the whole time," the conditioner explained. "When you have the best horse in the race, you don't worry."

The chestnut lass is out of the winning Penpont (NZ) (Crested Wave) and was preceded in stakes glory by her four-year-old full brother Unusual Suspect, the winner of the Hollywood Turf Express H. (G3) and two other stakes. She also has a juvenile full sister named Mama Rosa and an unnamed yearling full brother. Golden Doc A captured the Generous Portion S. and Anoakia S. last year and placed in two stakes, including the Miesque S. (G3). She opened this year with an excellent effort in the aforementioned Santa Ynez on January 13, and has now earned $345,356 from a 10-3-2-1 mark.

Abrams said the March 8 Santa Anita Oaks (G1) will be next.