SANTA ANITA : Lit De Justice Finds Easier Going in Victory

Corey Nakatani has a strong opinion about Lit De Justice and, after Saturday, a lot of people may agree with Santa Anita’s leading jockey.

“He’s the best sprinter in the country right now,” said Nakatani after Lit De Justice beat five rivals in the $108,000 Potrero Grande Handicap. “Last time, we had a rough trip. Today, we had plenty of clear sailing, and he showed just what he can do.”

To say Lit De Justice, a 5-year-old El Gran Senor horse owned by Evergreen Farm and trained by Jenine Sahadi, had a rough trip in the El Conejo would be an understatement. After being trapped behind a wall of horses, Nakatani created a hole where one didn’t exist and wound up being disqualified from second to sixth.

Drawn outside in a Potrero Grande field that was reduced by five scratches, Lit De Justice, the 6-5 favorite, trailed early after being reluctant to go into the gate, swung widest of all to take the lead rather quickly, then coasted to the wire in 1:14 3/5 for the 6 1/2 furlongs.

Cardmania, the 5-2 second choice, beat Phone Roberto by a head for the place. Then came Isitingood, Heavenly Crusade and Lost Pan.

Earlier in the card, 2-1 second choice Desert Stormer defeated Velvet Tulip by 1 1/2 lengths in the $99,100 Las Flores Breeders’ Cup Handicap.

Ridden by Kent Desormeaux for owner Joanne Nor and trainer Fabio Nor, Desert Stormer completed the six furlongs in 1:08 2/5. The Las Flores was reduced to five starters after Nijivision, Top Rung, Angi Go and Wendy’s Daughter were scratched.

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Looking to maintain her position as the top 3-year-old filly in the country, Serena’s Song is the 7-5 favorite in the $200,000 Santa Anita Oaks today.

Were it not for a loss by a head to stablemate Flanders in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies, Serena’s Song would be working on a five-race win streak right now for trainer Wayne Lukas and owners Bob and Beverly Lewis. She has two stakes victories at the meeting--in the Santa Ynez and Las Virgenes--and will be trying for her third consecutive victory against Urbane.

Beaten by a nose by Serena’s Song in the Hollywood Starlet, then troubled in a third-place finish in the Las Virgenes, Urbane, the 8-5 second choice, will have a new rider for the 1 1/16-mile Oaks. Eddie Delahoussaye replaces Corey Black.

The rest includes Cat’s Cradle, who won her only start in the slop by 14 lengths; much-improved Mari’s Sheba, Jewel Princess and Favored One.