SANTA ANITA : Brazen Wins the Santa Ynez at 11-1

There are probably several trainers kicking themselves these days for not having claimed Brazen for $50,000 when the opportunity presented itself.

Since beating maiden claimers that day (Aug. 10 at Del Mar), the 3-year-old Artichoke filly has developed nicely for trainer Jerry Fanning.

Brazen earned her fourth stakes victory, outbattling Fowda and heavily favored Ifyoucouldseemenow in the $87,300 Santa Ynez Breeders’ Cup Stakes Saturday at Santa Anita.

The longest shot in the field of five at 11-1, Brazen won by a head under Chris McCarron, completing the seven furlongs in 1:23 3/5. She added the Santa Ynez to previous stakes successes in Fairplex Park’s Bustles and Bows, the Bay Meadows Debutante and Golden Gate’s Vallejo.

Outside of Fowda, the second longest shot in the field at nearly 8-1, through some very moderate fractions (22 3/5 and 46 for the half-mile), Brazen got the best of things while between Fowda, who was inside, and Ifyoucouldseemenow, who had no excuses as the 4-5 favorite.

“She’s a tough filly,” Fanning said. “She’s a good sprinter. I tried a mile with her twice and she didn’t run well either time.

“At the quarter pole, nobody was running. I thought Ifyoucouldseemenow was dead at the top of the stretch. I was worried about Lite Light and Fowda kept on running. I’ve run her three times in a month, so I might give her a little time.”

Fowda lost nothing in defeat. This was only the second start for the Strawberry Road filly, who routed maidens Jan. 26.

“I thought we were going to get there for a split second, but they got us in the last jump,” jockey Eddie Delahoussaye said. “That was some race for her, though. I think she’ll improve around two turns . . . “

A winner of her previous three starts, Ifyoucouldseemenow was well-placed by Martin Pedroza, although in light of the fractions, she may have been better served going to the lead.

“She got a little tired,” Pedroza said. “I’m a little disappointed. I thought she’d win.”

Santa Anita morning-line maker Jeff Tufts has established In Excess the 6-5 favorite for today’s $500,000 Charles H. Strub Stakes. In Excess is coupled with Jovial, but the latter isn’t expected to be a starter.

In Excess, a 4-year old Irish-bred, made his main track debut in the San Fernando Stakes Jan. 19 and was very impressive. He beat Warcraft by four lengths while covering the 1 1/8 miles in a stakes-record 1:46 3/5.

Trained by Bruce Jackson and ridden by Gary Stevens, the son of Siberian Express will be dropping five pounds off that victory. He carried 126 in the San Fernando.

Warcraft, who has made a habit of running second in stakes races, is the 5-2 second choice, then comes Pleasant Tap (4-1), Defensive Play (6-1), My Boy Adam (12-1), Greydar (15-1) and Bedeviled (20-1).

Delahoussaye takes over for Alex Solis on Pleasant Tap, who had a terrible trip in the San Fernando, and Defensive Play, who bled and finished last in that race, will race on Lasix today.

Four races earlier, Dinard will try to remain unbeaten when he takes on five opponents in the $100,000 San Vicente Breeders’ Cup Stakes at seven furlongs. Roman Envoy, Scan, Olympio, Keen Line and Distinctly North were also entered.