Umberto Rispoli says goodbye to Southern California by winning Santa Anita Oaks

Desert Daybreak had simply pulled a significant upset by successful the Grade 2 $400,000 Santa Anita Oaks by defeating the closely favored Adare Manor by a neck. But successful jockey Umberto Rispoli had an issue.

Photographs have been being taken and he was slotted to face within the Winner’s Circle between two Rams gamers, 6-foot-6 tight finish Kendall Blanton and 6-5 linebacker Justin Hollins. So, he did the one factor he may do, he jumped up and sat on the railing behind everybody so he might be on the identical degree because the others for the image.

The gamers have been at Santa Anita to accompany the Lombardi Trophy, the {hardware} given to the Tremendous Bowl champion. Rispoli was there to say goodbye to the Southern California using circuit. After Sunday, he’ll trip in Kentucky.

“I knew this filly was higher than that final yr,” Rispoli mentioned. “I knew we would have liked that final race and I felt the final work was higher than proven. … We began to maneuver on the three-eighths pole and he or she fought each step of the way in which. She gave me the Santa Anita Oaks and now it’s on to Kentucky.”

Desert Daybreak, who paid $31.20, $7.40 and $3.20, is also headed to Kentucky as she certified for the Kentucky Oaks, held the day earlier than the Kentucky Derby. Adare Manor was second adopted by Ain’t Simple, Beneath the Stars and Micro Share. Phil D’Amato was the successful coach of the 1-1/16-mile race for 3-year-old fillies.

Rispoli additionally received two different races on Saturday’s seven-stakes card, one in all them the Grade 2 $200,000 Royal Heroine for older fillies and mares going a mile on the turf. The race scratched to 4 horses and Going International rallied on the far flip to win by 1¾ lengths. D’Amato, as soon as once more, was the successful coach.

In different graded stakes Saturday:

• Brooke Marie ($11.20) received the Grade 2 $200,000 Monrovia Stakes for fillies and mares going 6½ furlongs over the downhill turf course. Eddie Kenneally and Juan Hernandez teamed up for that win.

• The Grade 3 $100,000 Providencia Stakes for 3-year-old fillies going 1-1/8 miles on the turf was received in a gate-to-wire effort by Cairo Recollections ($7.80) by a commanding 4½ lengths. Bob Hess Jr. and Mike Smith have been the successful coach and jockey.

There have been two ungraded stakes restricted to California breds:

• Smuggler’s Run ($4.00) received the 6½-furlong $150,000 Echo Eddie Stakes for 3-year-olds for Richard Baltas and Joe Bravo.

• Within the greatest upset of the day, Energy Surge ($155.20) received the 6½-furlong $150,000 Night Jewel Stakes for 3-year-old fillies for Blaine Wright and Ricardo Gonzalez.