OAK TREE : Lite Light Wins the Oak Leaf Stakes

Those who thought Beyond Perfection was California’s hope to upset Meadow Star in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies might have to start rethinking their position.

Badly beaten by Beyond Perfection in the Del Mar Debutante Sept. 2, Lite Light turned the tables in a big way Monday at Santa Anita.

The 4-1 third choice in the field of four, Lite Light got the lead before a quarter of a mile had been run, then turned the $242,256 Oak Leaf Stakes into a one-filly affair.

A Kentucky-bred daughter of Majestic Light, she defeated Garden Gal by four lengths in 1:42 4/5 for the 1 1/16 miles, the same time Best Pal had while winning the Norfolk the day before.

The 1-2 favorite, Beyond Perfection was four-wide most of the way and finished 6 1/2 lengths behind Garden Gal. Even though she was beaten by 31 1/2 lengths, Title Bought earned $14,832 for finishing fourth.

Impressive when beating Beyond Perfection in the seven-furlong Sorrento 18 days before the Debutante, Lite Light had an excuse for her decisive defeat.

“She was horsing (ovulating) so bad last time I would have had to take her out of any ordinary race,” said trainer Henry Moreno after Lite Light’s third victory in seven starts. “I liked her going in today on account of knowing what was wrong last time.

“This is a pretty nice filly, that’s all I can say. More than likely, we’ll go on to the Breeders’ Cup (Oct. 27).”

Last going into the first turn, Lite Light moved to the front when an opening developed on the fence. A head in front after a :46 half-mile, she started to draw away midway around the turn and won with something left.

“Going into the first turn, I didn’t feel we would have a shot in the middle with four horses going head to head, so I took back,” said Russell Baze after his first victory of the six day-old Oak Tree meeting. “Then, Garden Gal drifted out and she pulled me through there. Chris (McCarron) tried to get (Garden Gal) to drop in, but if anything, she went wider.

“The first time I rode her (in the Sorrento), she ran similar to what she did today. Last time, she came into heat real bad the day of the race. Henry told me in the paddock that day we’d be lucky to get any part of it. She was not in top form at all. The real Lite Light showed up today.”

Whether that would be good enough to beat Meadow Star, who remained unbeaten with a 14-length victory in Saturday’s Frizette at Belmont Park, is an entirely different question.

“It’s apparent both of them are quality fillies,” Baze said. “We’ll never know until we hook her.”

The Breeders’ Cup also seems the probable destination for Garden Gal, who was making her first start around two turns.

“I was pleased with her race,’ said trainer Brian Mayberry. “She finished well for her first time longer than six furlongs.”

Beyond Perfection acted as though she might be tired. The Oak Leaf was her fourth race since Aug. 15 and her third in five weeks.

“It was one of those races that you hate to have, but that you’re going to get,” jockey Alex Solis said. “I got caught four wide, but she didn’t really fire when I asked her.”

Sensational Star, who won the Bing Crosby and Pat O’Brien Handicaps at Del Mar, will have nine opponents Wednesday when he starts in the $108,625 Ancient Title Breeders’ Cup Handicap at Santa Anita.

A $32,000 claim more than two years ago by Bill Spawr, the 6-year-old gelding drew the outside post in the six-furlong race. He will again be ridden by Rafael Meza. Sensational Star, who is preparing for the California Cup Nov. 3, worked six furlongs in a bullet 1:13 1/5 Friday.

A quality colt overseas, Corwyn Bay was impressive in his main track debut Sept. 10 at Del Mar. Under Eddie Delahoussaye, the 4-year-old son of Caerleon beat allowance rivals by 6 1/2 lengths and ran the 6 1/2 furlongs in 1:14 3/5.

Others in the field include multiple-stakes winner Prospectors Gamble; Snipledo, who has has won six consecutive races in Washington, including the Longacres Mile; the Vladimir Cerin-trained entry of Yes I’m Blue, who captured the Aprisa and Governor’s Cup at Fairplex Park; Hollywood Reporter; On A Roll; Ambessa; Astro, who won his last three starts at Arlington Park, and Gallant Sailor.

Horse Racing Notes

Ruhlmann, who disappointed when heavily favored in the Del Mar Budweiser Breeders’ Cup, is expected to start in Saturday’s Goodwood Handicap. Other possiblies include his stablemate, Lively One; Miserden, who worked six furlongs in 1:13 2/5 Monday morning; Asia; Festin, and Edipo Rey. . . . Lite Light paid $10.60 to win and the victory was worth $148,320 to owner Jack Finley. . . . For the second consecutive day, no one was able to isolate all the Pick Six winners, so there wil be a carryover of more than $198,000. . . . Kent Desormeaux and Julio Garcia each won twice Monday.