Mizdirection gets the better of Unzip Me in the Monrovia Handicap at Santa Anita
The newly turned 4-year-old filly, Mizdirection, kicked off the new year with a mild upset in the six and a half furlongs long Grade 3, Monrovia Handicap at Santa Anita Park’s hillside turf course, sent as the second choice under jockey Garrett Gomez, who has been remarkable even at the age of 40.
Just like on 1 January, 2012, Garrett Gomez came off the pace twice to win two stakes races in one day, aboard second choice in each case, over Mizdirection again.
Garrett Gomez had a perfect ride, coming off the pace to snatch the Monrovia Handicap from the favoured Unzip Me.
Trained by Mike Puype for Jungle Racing, Mizdirection is the Kentucky bred daughter of Mizzen Mast, out of mare Deceptive by Clever Trick.
Coming into the Grade 3 Monrovia Handicap, Mizdirection was exiting a victory in an optional claimer over Hollywood Park’s turf course, going at about six furlongs under the two-time Eclipse Award winning jokey, Garrett Gomez, who has ridden the filly in six consecutive races now.
It was supposed to be the 6 to 5 favourite, Unzip Me’s race, who was aiming to become the second runner to win the race back-to-back.
The 6-year-old mare had her problems over her favoured Santa Anita track in the past three races, managing only a single win out of three starts.
She was making a winning bid in mid stretch, but Mizdirection dashed past her to spoil the show for her by winning over her and the rest of the field by 1 ¾ lengths.
The winning time for the six and a half furlong test was 1 minute and 11.64 seconds.
“My horse broke running and she got up on her feet right away,” said Gomez. “I didn’t expect to have any horses in front of me because I didn’t feel like there was that much speed.”
“So I just dropped her head and let her place herself,” he continued. “She kept herself where she was fairly comfortable and traveled good down the hill. I didn’t want to hold her up too much after we crossed the dirt. She traveled well, did everything good, and this was a good experience first time down the hill.”
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