In a thrilling finish to the $100,000 Possibly Perfect Stakes at Santa Anita Park, Augustin Stables’ Mrs. Astor demonstrated her class and determination, getting up in the final strides to secure a hard-fought victory on Saturday.
The five-year-old mare, guided by a patient Umberto Rispoli, timed her run perfectly to win by a nose in the one-and-a-quarter-mile turf contest.
The race began with Kentucky Gal (IRE) breaking sharply and setting the pace from the inside, with Starry Heavens (IRE) applying consistent pressure to her outside. The duo led the field through steady opening fractions of 24.35 for the quarter-mile and 48.29 for the half.
Meanwhile, Rispoli had Mrs. Astor settled comfortably in third, stalking the leaders from the outside. As the field turned for home, the race intensified. Starry Heavens (IRE) made her move, briefly taking the lead in mid-stretch and looking like a potential winner. However, the real drama was yet to unfold.
In the final furlong, the complexion of the race changed dramatically. Mahina, who had been saving ground along the rail, found a seam and surged through with a powerful late kick. At the same time, Rispoli asked Mrs. Astor for her best, and the daughter of Lookin At Lucky responded with a determined four-wide rally.
The three horses battled head-to-head in the closing moments, with Mrs. Astor’s relentless drive proving decisive as she hit the wire just in time.
The final time for the ten furlongs was a solid 2:00.69. Mahina had to settle for a tough-luck second-place finish, while Starry Heavens (IRE) was a game third, just a neck behind the runner-up.
For Mrs. Astor, the win marked her first stakes victory and a significant milestone in her career. The Jonathan Thomas-trained mare has shown steady improvement, and this performance suggests a bright future.
The victory was a testament to her heart and the masterful ride by Rispoli, who put her in the perfect position to strike when it mattered most.
Scratched Horse(s): None
Fractional Times: 24.35, 48.29, 1:13.11, 1:37.54
Final Time: 2:00.69
Winning Connections
Winner: Mrs. Astor
Jockey: Umberto Rispoli
Trainer: Jonathan Thomas
Owner: Augustin Stables
Breeder: George Strawbridge Jr.
Bloodline: Bay Mare, by Lookin At Lucky out of Causal, by Creative Cause. Foaled Apr 06, 2020 in Kentucky.
Stallion Info: Lookin At Lucky stands at Haras Don Alberto in Longavi, Chile.
Payouts
1st – (2) Mrs. Astor – Win: $2.80, Place: $2.20, Show: $2.10
2nd – (4) Mahina – Place: $6.40, Show: $5.00
3rd – (6) Starry Heavens (IRE) – Show: $3.20
Exotics: $1.00 Exacta (2-4) Paid: $9.40 | $1.00 Trifecta (2-4-6) Paid: $21.70 | $0.10 Superfecta (2-4-6-1) Paid: $4.05
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