Teddy’s Promise out to land her first grade 1 race and extend her winning streak to 4 in the Santa Monica Stakes
The 4-year-old filly, Teddy’s Promise, is exiting a magnificent victory in the Grade 1 La Brea Stakes at Santa Anita, and by doing that, she propelled her winning streak to 3. Now the California homebred, owned by Ted and Judy Nichols, Teddy’s Promise will be putting her three-race victory streak on the line by participating in the Grade 1, $300,000 Santa Monica Stakes at Santa Anita on 28 January, 2012.
The daughter of Salt Lake, out of mare Braids and Beads by Capote, Teddy’s Promise will be going up against older horses, unlike the time she went up against horses of the same age group in the La Brea Stakes, but the La Brea Stakes' win was special because the rampant filly went on to defeat three time grade 1 winner, Turbulent Descent.
It was a strong field on 31 December, 2011, at Santa Anita, and at seven furlongs, ridden by jockey Victor Espinoza, Teddy’s Promise downed Sugarinthemorning in second, and another highly rated filly, Great Hot in third, while covering the seven furlong sprint in 1 minute and 20.47 seconds.
Her three race winning streak started at Santa Anita in an allowance/optional claimer at about six and a half furlongs on 10 October, 2011, under David Flores, Teddy’s Promise flourished to defeat Include Me Out to win the dash on dirt, in 1 minute and 15.30 seconds.
Include Me Out was the victim once again, as the filly was unable to overhaul Teddy’s Promise in the second race with the Californian filly, and finished second to Teddy’s Promise yet again, this time over Hollywood Park’s cushion track at about six furlongs.
Trained by Ronald Ellis, Teddy’s Promise has developed a good chemistry with jockey Victor Espinoza, who has ridden the filly in her last two starts and guided her to victory on both occasions.
"The first time I rode her, she hadn’t run for a while and she ran a big race, although I really don’t think Hollywood Park is her track," Espinoza said.
“I really liked her in the La Brea. She ran unbelievable that day and I think she’s still improving. She’s getting better and better. In past races, she was on the lead, but I think Ron’s figured out that she’s better coming from off the pace.”
Teddy’s Promise will break from post number 3, carrying the top weight of 123 pounds, where as the rest of the field carries 118 pounds each.
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