Silver Cup Is Golden in the Buena Vista

Silver Cup became the third horse to win two stakes at Santa Anita’s winter-spring meet when she came through at 7-1 in the $150,000 Buena Vista Handicap on Monday.

Joining High Limit and Proud Tower Too as double stakes winners, the 4-year-old, Irish-bred filly followed her 16-1 upset in the San Gorgonio Handicap on Jan. 8 with a three-quarters of a length victory over 8-1 shot and pacesetter Elusive Diva in the Grade II on Monday.

Ridden by Victor Espinoza, who was aboard for the San Gorgonio triumph, Silver Cup ran the mile on turf in 1 minute 34.92 seconds. It was the seventh win in 12 starts for the daughter of Almutawakel, who is owned by Martin Schwartz and trained by Patrick Biancone.

Mirabilis, the 7-2 favorite in the field of 11, finished third, a nose in front of 7-2 second choice Ticker Tape.

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Trainers Bob Baffert and Wayne Lukas and the president of the Oak Tree Racing Association, Dr. Jack Robbins, all spoke in tribute to Bob Lewis, the prominent owner and thoroughbred industry stalwart who died Friday at 81, during a winner’s circle ceremony at Santa Anita.

There also was a video tribute to Lewis. Members of his family, including his widow, Beverly, were on hand, as were jockeys Alex Solis, David Flores, Eddie Delahoussaye, Laffit Pincay Jr., Gary Stevens, Patrick Valenzuela, Corey Nakatani and Victor Espinoza. All except Delahoussaye were dressed in the Lewises’ familiar green and yellow silks.

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There will be a pick six carry-over of $231,863 when racing resumes Thursday at Santa Anita.

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Ring True, a 10-1 shot, won the $70,045 Dearly Precious by a half-length over 5-2 second choice Vasa at Aqueduct.

It was the second win in as many starts for the 3-year-old Is It True filly, who is owned by Joseph Iracane and trained by Jimmy Jerkens.

Silvestris, the 1-2 favorite, broke slowly from the inside post and wound up fourth. Her off-the-board finish led to inflated show prices. The winner paid $17.60 to show, Vasa paid $10.60 and third-place finisher Pure Disco returned $26.60.

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Jockey Roberto Gonzalez picked up his 4,000th career victory when he directed Peak A Bootrando, a 31-1 shot, to an upset in the seventh race at Golden Gate Fields on Monday.

Later in the card, Buzzards Bay, the 2-1 second choice, picked up his first win since the Santa Anita Derby last April 9 with an easy score in the $150,000 All American Handicap at Golden Gate Fields.

Jose Valdivia Jr. rode the 4-year-old Marco Bay colt for owner Gary Broad and trainer Ron Ellis. The Florida-bred won for the fourth time in 14 starts. He ran the 1 1/8 miles in 1:47.11.