SANTA ANITA : Rabiadella Starts Fast, Wins the Monrovia

Scratches proved kind to Rabiadella in the $81,200 Monrovia Handicap on Saturday at Santa Anita. A one-dimensional filly who needs the lead to succeed, Rabiadella became the lone front-runner in the Monrovia when Flying In The Lane ran in Friday’s Little Brianne and Desert Stormer was scratched to wait for another day.

Rabiadella, third choice at 7-2 odds, was never challenged en route to a four-length victory. Winning for the seventh time in 17 starts, the 4-year-old Dynaformer filly completed the course of about 6 1/2 furlongs on turf in 1:14 4/5. She also provided jockey Pat Valenzuela with the second of his three winners on the card. He also won with Higher Flyer and Fare Value.

Dezibelle’s Star, the second longest shot in the field at nearly 6-1, finished a neck in front of 9-10 favorite Las Meninas.

“I thought she went out too fast,” said trainer Mike Orman, referring to the 43 4/5 half-mile. “But the day she won (the Senorita Breeders’ Cup last April 30), I thought the same thing . . . and that day she opened up 12 lengths. She’s tough, though. She runs as hard as she can as far as she can.”

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In his first start since finishing sixth in the Preakness last May 21, Blumin Affair rallied from well off the pace to beat Desert Act by two lengths in 1:15 1/5.

Horse Racing Notes

California Cup Sprinter winner Uncaged Fury will have surgery Wednesday after chipping a knee during a workout on Monday.