Ron the Greek made a big move on the backstretch as the field prepared to enter the far turn and then used a powerful late kick down the middle of the homestretch to win the Grade 1 Santa Anita Handicap at Santa Anita Park. Ron the Greek broke slowly and was well back early but was well-positioned due to the absolutely scorching pace set by favorite Ultimate Eagle and the other frontrunners. The opening quarter mile went in 22.26 second, with the half-mile clocking a sprint-like 44.55. By the time the leaders hit the top of the stretch, the gas tank was empty.
Setsuko made a good run to get into second in the middle of the stretch but couldn't run down the winner. Uh Oh Bango rallied for third, while Holladay Road finished fourth.
Ron the Greek is a five-year-old son of Full Mandate out of a Fortunate Prospect mare (Flambe) trained by Bill Mott and ridden by Jose Lezcano.
Ron the Greek's victory triggered a $430k carryover into Sunday for the Pick 6.
In the two Grade 1 races prior to the Big Cap, Eden's Moon won the Las Virgenes and Willyconker (IRE) won the Kilroe Mile.
Below are the payouts, fractions and internal splits for the Santa Anita Handicap.
WIN: 3-Ron the Greek ($9.20, $4.40, $3.40)
PLACE: 9-Setsuko ($3.60, $2.80)
SHOW: 1-Uh Oh Bango ($6.60)
$1.00 EXACTA: $19.90
$1.00 TRIFECTA: $138.60
$0.10 SUPERFECTA: $79.71
$1.00 SUPER HIGH FIVE: $10,342.30
$1.00 DAILY DOUBLE: $104.40
$1.00 PICK 3: $355.30
$1.00 PICK 4: $1,003.80
$1.00 PICK 6: $4,137.40
PICK SIX CARRYOVER: $430,581.88
Fractions:
1/4: 22.26
1/2: 44.55
3/4: 1:09.08
Mile: 1:34.14
Finish: 2:00.41
Internal Splits:
1/4: 22.26
1/2: 22.29
3/4: 24.53
Mile: 25.06
Finish: 26.27