Trip West Doesn’t Slow Summer Colony in La Canada

Once Summer Colony discovered the thrill of victory, the 4-year-old daughter of Summer Squall apparently forgot how to lose.

Unable to win in her first six races for owner-breeder Edward Evans and trainer Mark Hennig, Summer Colony has rattled off six victories in a row after her 6-1 upset in the $200,000 La Canada Stakes on Saturday at Santa Anita.

Before her first trip to California, the dark bay miss had done all of her winning against inferior competition in New York--two victories at Saratoga, including a 323/4-length crushing of maidens, one at Belmont Park and two at Aqueduct. It was questioned how she would fare on the West Coast.

In a Grade II where favored Affluent and Royally Chosen, the 1-2 finishers in a thrilling El Encino Stakes on Jan. 20, may have felt the effects of that grueling race--they checked in fourth and fifth, respectively, on Saturday--Summer Colony proved she belongs.

Ridden by Gary Stevens, who had gotten instructions in the morning by telephone from the filly’s regular rider John Velasquez, who stayed in Florida to ride also-ran Graeme Hall in the $500,000 Donn Handicap, Summer Colony was well positioned close to the surprisingly slow pace. She took the lead with an eighth of a mile to go and won by a length in 1:491/5 for the 11/8 miles.

“It’s not often that other jockeys will call you and be as up front and forthright as [Velasquez] was,” Stevens said. “He called me at the request of Mark and told me all about the filly.

“He basically just told me not to worry about having her on the lead, that she would do whatever you want.

“She hadn’t faced this kind before and even when they win like she has been winning, there’s still a question if they are for real. I think she just proved that she is. She is a really, really classy filly.”

Azeri, the 5-2 second choice who had won her first three starts for trainer Laura De Seroux, was second, a length ahead of 14-1 longshot Ask Me No Secrets, who had gained the lead into the stretch from a tiring Royally Chosen.

Seeking to become only the third filly to sweep the three-race La Canada series, joining Taisez Vous and Mitterand, Affluent was beaten 31/2 lengths as the 9-10 favorite, but never looked dangerous at any stage.

“It just was not her day, she did not fire at all,” said Eddie Delahoussaye, Affluent’s rider. “It’s tough to put three races together like that.”

Jose Sanchez, Hennig’s assistant who came to California with Summer Colony while the trainer remained in Florida, said the filly will return to Gulfstream Park on Tuesday, but could return for the $300,000 Santa Margarita Invitational Handicap on March 10.

Mongoose, whose only previous stakes victory had come as a 2-year-old at River Downs, became a Grade I winner with his mild surprise in the Donn.

Owned by Mary and Gary West and making his second start for trainer H. James Bond after previously being under Bill Mott’s care, the 4-year-old Broad Brush colt took advantage of a perfect trip under Edgar Prado and won for the sixth time in 15 outings.

The 6-1 fourth choice while racing coupled with Ubiquity, he completed the 11/8 miles in 1:493/5 and won by a neck.

Red Bullet, the 2-1 favorite, crossed under the wire second and would have won had he not broken slowly.

But the 5-year-old, who was ridden by Jerry Bailey, was disqualified for interference on the backstretch and was moved to fourth by the stewards.