Stein’s Claim Turning Out To B. Super

To B. Super looks much better to trainer Roger Stein now than she did the first time he saw her in person.

When she arrived in Southern California after being claimed for $20,000 before a fifth-place finish at 7-5 odds last Sept. 21 at Bay Meadows, the To B. Or Not filly wasn’t a picture of health.

She immediately flourished in her new surroundings and has proven quite an investment for her owners at the Big Fly Stable.

In 10 starts for these connections, To B. Super has five wins and she earned her second stakes victory Saturday, scoring a 13-1 upset in the $114,900 Senorita Stakes at Hollywood Park.

Seven weeks after an 8-1 upset in the La Habra at Santa Anita, the California-bred pushed her lifetime earnings to $265,690 with a head win over an unlucky Gastronomical, with Ribot’s Secret another head back in third.

Ridden by Chris Antley, To B. Super completed the mile on turf in 1:34 1/5 and put to rest any doubts about her ability to handle two turns.

“We’re all very happy,” said Stein, who has had success in the past with other fillies and mares he has claimed, such as Southern Truce, Defend Your Man and Distant Runner. “The barn’s happy and we’re all just proud of this filly. She’s my Cinderella story for right now.

“To claim horses like [To B. Super] for $16,000 or $20,000, it’s about luck. Even if they get better, they’re not supposed to win these kind of races.”

Fresh off an easy win in the Providencia at Santa Anita, Gastronomical chased the fast pace set by Hear The Music, had the lead after a 1:09 4/5 split at six furlongs, then got nailed right near the wire.

“It was a winning effort, but she had to settle for second,” said jockey Kent Desormeaux. “She really ran as hard as she could. The other filly came to her hard at the eighth pole and she wouldn’t let her by. But the other one just ground her out and finally got her in the last five strides.”

Ribot’s Secret, who broke from the outside in the field of 13, finished 1 1/2 lengths ahead of Staffin. Listening, the lukewarm favorite at 7-2, was fifth.

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Track Gal, who overcame a poor start to win by a nose in her comeback earlier this month at Santa Anita, is the 7-5 favorite in the $100,000 added A Gleam Handicap today at Hollywood Park.

A multiple-stakes winner last year, Track Gal will have only four opponents in the seven-furlong race as she goes for her third victory in four starts at Hollywood Park.

Igotrhythm, who has won her last two sprints on the main track, is the 2-1 second choice while the field also includes the comebacking Cat’s Cradle--who hasn’t won since taking the Acorn last May 7 at Belmont Park--Klassy Kim and Tricky Code.

Horse Racing Notes

There is a Pick Six carryover of more than $111,000 for today. . . . Corey Nakatani, Kent Desormeaux and Alex Solis will all be at Golden Gate Fields today, with mounts in the $200,000 San Francisco Mile. Nakatani rides Torch Rouge, Desormeaux is on Debutant Trick, and Solis will be aboard Gold And Steel. Others in the field for the turf race are Vaudeville, Adams Trail, Wavy Run, Savinio and Inner City. . . . The Beaugay Handicap from Aqueduct and the National Jockey Club Oaks from Sportsman’s Park will be simulcast locally.