Book Review smashes six rivals to win the La Brea Stakes
According to trainer Bob Baffert, Book Review, either shows up or she doesn’t, and her track record reflects that, but the Kentucky bred 3-year-old filly found California to her liking, when she showed an amazing turn of foot to run down the determined Reneesgotzip and the 2 to 5 favourite and the 2011 juvenile champion filly, My Miss Aurelia, to win the Grade 1, $300,000 La Brea Stakes at Santa Anita Park on 26 December, 2012.
Book Review returned to the West Coast for the first time since joining Bob Baffert's barn. Book Review was sent as the 9 to 2 choice, and under Rafael Bejarano, turning for home, the rider swung the filly out wide to avoid a possible contact with Nechez Dawn, who was left dumbfounded after a fierce battle between Reneesgotzip and My Miss Aurelia.
Both leaders dug in fiercely, and at the point it looked like a two-horse race, however, Reneesgotzip held a slight advantage over My Miss Aurelia, as the former kept brushing the latter, but rallied well on the inside.
In the deep stretch, Book Review decreased the gap by her emphatic run and went into the clear to edge Reneesgotzip by a neck and win the seven furlong test in 1 minute and 22.41 seconds over the wet fast track.
Reneesgotzip, was fast enough to keep a bob over My Miss Aurelia to earn a placed finish, as the 2011 juvenile champion finished third on the day.
"She did everything I was wanting her to do except get to the line first," Gomez said. "We dueled really hard and the other filly (Book Review) came through us when we were all staggered toward the end of the race and beat us today. She got hooked every bit of the way and she didn't get any opportunity to take a breath of air. She kept to her task and ran a tremendous race."
The speed that the field brought worked in Book Review’s favour according to jockey Rafael Bejarano, and the late sprint from Book Review worked perfectly well to seal the win.
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