Quattroelle Conquers Blue Norther

ARCADIA, CA – A much cleaner trip proved the difference for Red Baron’s Barn and Rancho Temescal’s Quattroelle, who conquered her rivals in Thursday’s $75,000 Blue Norther Stakes at Santa Anita Park.

Quattroelle broke from post 4 under Tyler Baze as the 3/1 second choice and settled into a ground-saving trip near the rear in the field of eight juvenile fillies.

Michalska took an early uncontested lead and posted fractions of :24.06, :48.18, and 1:12.37 while chased by Carpe Fortuna, who made her move heading into the far turn and held a narrow advantage as the field neared the top of the stretch.

Baze allowed Quattroelle to advance inside of rivals through the far turn, then tipped her off the rail once straightened for home to split Michalska and Carpe Fortuna.

Getting a big jump on the 9/5 favorite Javanica (who went four-wide off the turn), Quattroelle took the lead near the 3/16 pole and had enough left in the tank to hold off Javanica and win by 3/4 of a length.

The Jeff Mullins trainee completed the mile-long firm turf route in 1:35.72.

“She’s a nice filly,” Baze said. “I don’t know how good she is, she is just very nice. She still has a lot of learning. Once I hit the lead, she was pulling herself up all the way down the lane, really just having fun.”

Javanica was 1 1/4 lengths clear of Carpe Fortuna, herself 7 lengths clear of the rest of the field.

Pizzazz, Michalska, Derby Quest, Absolute Scenes, and Royal Blend completed the order of finish.

Quattroelle’s win was her second following a maiden-breaking effort over this course and distance in early October while making her stateside debut. The Irish-bred daughter of Mehmas rebounded from a bumpy trip and third-place finish in the Jimmy Durante Stakes (G3) last time out and has now earned $94,572 along with a 4-2-0-2 record.

“She ran great and we weren’t surprised,” Mullins said. “She got knocked sideways real bad last time at Del Mar and she should’ve won. She’s a real hard-trying filly and she’s done everything we’ve asked her.”

Quattroelle returned $8.20 to win, $3.60 to place, and $2.60 to show. Javanica brought back $3 to place and $2.40 to show, while Carpe Fortuna paid $3 to show.