Madone Holds Sway in Surfer Girl

ARCADIA, CA – Kaleem Shah’s Madone struck the front in mid-stretch, then held sway late to win Sunday’s $100,000 Surfer Girl Stakes at Santa Anita Park.

Madone broke from post 6 under Flavien Prat as the even-money favorite and sat off near the rear of the field.

Reign of Fire shot to the lead from the rail and set the opening tempo, posting fractions of :22.30 and :45.91 while Maxim Strider stalked closest.

Maxim Strider ranged up to take the lead midway through the far turn, but by that point, Prat had Madone tipped out to make a five-wide bid at the top of the stretch.

Madone took command shortly after straightening out, but Tetragonal came rushing just behind her and made for a tight finish.

The stewards reviewed the photo finish before naming the Simon Callaghan-trained Madone was named the victor by a neck after completing the firm mile-long turf route in 1:34.83.

“I liked where we were after the first 1/4 (mile), it seemed like they were going fast enough up front,” Prat said. “The fractions don’t say it, but down the backside, it seemed like they slowed it down a little, so I moved and I think I moved a little too soon. When she makes the lead, she pulls herself up a little. In all of her races, she doesn’t win by much, but she’s got a lot of talent.”

Pizzazz was 4 1/4 lengths back in a three-way photo for third by a nose and a head ahead over Closing Remarks and Canoodling, respectively.

Maxim Strider, Nimbostratus, and Reign of Fire completed the order of finish restricted to 2-year-old fillies.

Madone’s win kept her record perfect through 3 starts and followed up her strong score in the Del Mar Juvenile Fillies Turf Stakes last time out. The daughter of Vancouver, purchased for $125,000 this past March, has now earned $141,300.

“She is professional, she has really grown up a lot,” Callaghan said. “She took a little bit of time to come around, but she’s really developing into a real professional.”

Madone returned $4.20 to win, $2.80 to place, and $2.40 to show. Tetragonal brought back $11.20 to place and $6.40 to show, while Pizzazz paid $4.40 to show.