Santa Anita: Win the War invades West Coast for G2 Santa Ynez

Free DRF Past Performances for the Race of the Day

Win the War tries dirt in G2 Santa Ynez

Fresh off two impressive victories at her home base in Canada, Win the War travels South to take on eight other 3 year-old fillies in the G2 $200,000 Santa Ynez at Santa Anita on Sunday.

Trained by Mark Casse for “Barber or Oxley,” Win the War will be making her first start on dirt as the morning line favorite off an 11 length win in the Glorious Song, going 7 furlongs over the Tapeta surface.

Tyler Gaffalione will be aboard the daughter of War Front, out of the Carson City mare City Sister, for the first time as the trio make their way West from their winter base in South Florida where they could have stayed to race in the 7 1/2 furlong Ginger Brew on turf where she’s proven.

Still got to respect this miss and the connections as they try to see if they can convert her success to the dirt and a chance at the 2018 Kentucky Oaks on Friday, May 4 at Churchill.

Wiz Capper’s G2 Santa Ynez Analysis

Artistic Diva – Young miss is batting a thousand in two starts – maiden winner on turf going 5/8’s and fast, easy victory last time going 6F here in October. Draws inside for Sadler who is 0 for 12 to start the meet. But 7F well within range and should relish the return to the SA surface.
Steph Being Steph – Comes in with two wins without the hood for Blinkers On Racing Stable. Was second two back vs. inside runner and returned to win Golden Gate Debutante last time out over the fake stuff.
Streetwithnoname – Broke maiden for $80K claimer going 5/8’s at Del Mar in August with Talamo who returns in the saddle for Harty. Tried turf at Del Mar going 1 mile and was up the track. Took a two month breather before finishing third in the GG Debutante at long odds last time. Daughter of Street Sense out of a Medaglio d’Oro mare doesn’t have any speed and will need plenty of help on the front end if she’s to get up.
Alliana – She caught a pair of nice runners (place horse returns in this one) here in October in her maiden voyage finishing third, beaten seven lengths for the marbles. Easy winner last time out to break maiden at Del Mar for 22% trainer Miller. Not easy to like a horse right back after first win, plus stepping up to graded company but she looks special. The pick.
War Heroine – One start, one win for the other Miller entry. An easy winner at Del Mar going 6 1/2 in a MSW in November and working well for this one. Sire is Australian champion Lonhro but again tough to win first time back vs. winners.
Yesterday’s News – Daughter of New Year’s Day has started six times since last July winning once at Del Mar going 1 mile for Reddam Racing. But this miss is unusually in the hands of trainer Callaghan rather than the stables go-to guy O’Neill. Two of last three were at 1 mile on turf. Was second last time out out in the G1 Starlet at Los Al behind Dream Tree who is now a three-time winner. Like the cutback in distance.
Win the War – So against all that’s been said about the others in this race, this gal comes in as the 5 to 2 favorite from Woodbine where she’s won her only two starts. First on turf as a maiden winner. Then an 11 length win on carpet fibers and rubber. Trainer Casse is high on this one and according to DRF comments for the race, she was entered in the Ginger Brew at Gulfstream on turf, but Casse decided to ship her here. Gaffalione has been riding for Casse while wintering in Florida, but why isn’t Husbands who was aboard for both wins, back aboard this one if they’re preparing for the 2018 Kentucky Oaks? Don’t get me wrong, I’m sure she can run like the wind (93 Beyer last time is field’s highest) but she’s unproven on dirt.
Midnight Bisou – Second choice in the field at 3 to 1. Was beaten a nose twice to Dream Tree who won the G1 Starlet at LRC last time out. That should make her the favorite in here, but she’s not. Gets new rider in HOF Smith at favorable distance with closing style. But she’s still a maiden.
Just a Smidge – Broke maiden five back for Baffert who is having an unusually slow start to the SA meet (1 win in 14 tries). Faced Moonshine Memories in G1 Del Mar Debutante as heavy favorite, finishing 5th. Then was eased back to 5th in 8 horse field in G1 Chandelier won by aforementioned Moonshine Memories who went on to lose as the 2 to 1 favorite in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies. Baffert removed the blinkers and sent this gal back out to finish third a month after being eased so no cause for concern there. And when trying turf last time out in the G3 Jimmy Durante without the blinkers proved to be an effort in futility, Baffert will once again add blinkers back for this race with the added benefit of several workouts including two bullets most recently here. Don’t count this gal out at 15 to 1 for trainer who’s sure to get rolling soon at Santa Anita.