Mare Is in Frankel Tradition

Trainer Bobby Frankel has another talented New Zealand-bred mare.

Although she has a long way to go to match Happyanunoit, a multiple graded stakes winner for Frankel before being retired in the summer of 2001, Final Destination is off to a great start.

Owned by Ed Gann, the 19-10 second choice won for the second time in as many U.S. races, beating 8-5 favorite Garden In The Rain by half a length in the $150,000 Buena Vista Handicap on Monday at Santa Anita.

Able to get a perfect trip under jockey Victor Espinoza, the 5-year-old got to the outside entering the stretch and inched away nearing the wire. She completed the mile on a turf course labeled good in 1:35.99.

This was the fifth win in 11 races for Final Destination, and Frankel thinks her best is yet to come.

“She’s got a lot of improvement in her,” he said. “She doesn’t even look that good right now. I think she’s in an in-between stage where it’s just starting to turn the seasons and she’s upside down. Their winter is our summer and our summer is their winter.”

Garden In The Rain, trying to win for the third time in six starts since being claimed for $50,000 by trainer Jeff Mullins last Oct. 12, finished 2 1/2 lengths ahead of 3-1 third choice Embassy Belle, then came Repository, I’m The Business and Walts Wharf.

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Prepping for a probable start in the $1-million Santa Anita Handicap on March 1, Congaree worked six furlongs in 1:10 2/5 about an hour before Monday’s first race at Santa Anita.

Minutes before Congaree’s workout, Domestic Dispute, one of trainer Bob Baffert’s leading Kentucky Derby candidates, worked five furlongs in 1:01.

The 3-year-old son of Unbridled’s Song is scheduled to return in the $250,000 San Felipe Stakes on March 16.

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The $75,000 San Marino Handicap, which was scheduled for Sunday, but was postponed because of last week’s heavy rain, will be run when racing resumes Thursday at Santa Anita.