Cambiocorsa Finally Gets First Graded Stakes Win

The seventh consecutive win for Cambiocorsa on Santa Anita’s hillside turf course was more special than any of the previous six.

The 4-year-old gray daughter of Avenue Of Flags had never won a graded stakes before Sunday, but she changed that with her fifth win of the winter-spring meet in the $112,900 Las Cienegas Handicap.

Owned by Lee and Ty Leatherman and Bob and Jan Naify and trained by Doug O’Neill, Cambiocorsa, who has never won anywhere else, held off the late surge of 19-10 second choice Lock And Key to win the Grade III by three-quarters of a length. Under jockey Jon Court, who has been aboard for all but one of her wins, the California-bred, who was purchased for $90,000 at Barretts in March 2004, ran about 6 1/2 furlongs in 1:12.60.

She paid $5.20 as the 8-5 favorite.

“I’ve been riding for 25 years and I’ve never been involved with a horse who has won this many in a row,” Court said. “She’s just unbelievable. I feel very fortunate.

“She jumped out of there today and she just kind of set her own pace. When we crossed the dirt, I called on her and she gave me a quick three or four lengths. I’m just lucky I’m the rider who’s had the opportunity to sit across her back.”

Lock And Key, who had finished second against males in her U.S. debut for trainer Ben Cecil on March 24, finished 4 3/4 lengths ahead of Sandra’s Rose, a 5-1 shot who had a two-race winning streak end.

Danclare, Freakin Streakin, Starkay, Awesome Lady, Mystic Chant and Da Svedonya completed the order of finish after Fiorino Of Sydney, Maryfield and Pussycat Doll were scratched.

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Santa Anita Derby winner Brother Derek is scheduled to work either a half mile or five furlongs this morning for trainer Dan Hendricks.

The California-bred son of Benchmark, who has won all three of his races this year, is scheduled to leave for Churchill Downs on April 25 and continue his preparations for the Kentucky Derby on May 6.

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The total pick-six pool, including the carry-over of $1,126,445, on Sunday at Santa Anita was $4,067,295. There were 30 tickets with six winners and each was worth $91,977.40.

Consolations with five of six paid $537.80.