Santa Anita Park Picks | Spring Fever Stakes 2024

Separated by a scant nose when last they met going seven furlongs in Santa Anita’s Grade I La Brea Stakes Dec. 26, talented California-breds Daddysruby and Big Pond will tackle older fillies and mares for the first time as they figure prominently in Sunday’s $100,000 Spring Fever Stakes at Santa Anita Park.

First post time for a nine-race card on Sunday is at 12:30 p.m. with admission gates opening at 10:30 a.m.

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Trained by Peter Miller, Daddysruby, who led every step of the way in the La Brea and is unbeaten in three starts at the Spring Fever distance of six furlongs, rates a very narrow nod over the Tim Yakteen-trained Big Pond.

A galloping 5 ¼ length six furlong allowance winner in open company two starts back on Oct. 27, Daddysruby, although ridden to victory in four out of her last five starts by Juan Hernandez, will be ridden for the first time by Drayden Van Dyke on Sunday.

Quick from the blocks, Daddysruby, a 4-year-old filly by Frac Daddy out of the You and I mare Youtheprizeandi, earned an 87 Beyer Speed Figure in her Oct. 27 allowance score and posted an 83 Beyer in the La Brea.

Owned by Gary Barber, Wachtel Stable and Jethorse, LLC, Daddysruby has five wins from six starts and earnings of $352,014.

George Krikorian’s homebred Big Pond, who was flying at the finish of the seven furlong La Brea, earned an 83 Beyer and she’ll be ridden back by Frankie Dettori.

A first-out maiden six furlong winner versus statebreds here on June 16, Big Pond came back to take the seven furlong Fleet Treat on July 27 and then was well beaten going a mile and one eighth on turf in the Grade I Del Mar Oaks Aug. 19.

With two wins and as many seconds from four tries on dirt, Big Pond, who is by Mr. Big out of the Lemon Drop Kid mare Beside Still Water, should be tough to beat in what will be her sixth career start and fourth stakes engagement.

A winner of two out of her last four stakes starts on turf, Nick Alexander’s homebred Rose Maddox is in top form and could go favored as she bids for her fifth career stakes win.

Never better at age five, this California-bred daughter of Grazen was ultra game in prevailing by a nose in the statebred Sunshine Millions Filly & Mare Turf Sprint at about 6 ½ furlongs down Santa Anita’s hillside turf course on Jan. 13.

Trained by Steve Miyadi, Rose Maddox has posted a win and a second place finish from two tries at six furlongs on dirt. With Flavien Prat riding her back on Sunday, Rose Maddox would surely appreciate a fast pace to run at.

Out of the Unusual Heat mare Heat the Rocks, Rose Maddox is 20-7-8-1 overall with earnings of $515,782.

Alexander is also well represented by another 5-year-old homebred mare by Grazen, Rose Dawson, a one-time California-bred stakes winner on dirt.

Most recently fifth, beaten 2 ¼ lengths by Rose Maddox in the Sunshine Millions Filly & Mare Turf Sprint Jan. 13, Rose Dawson will be ridden for the sixth consecutive time by Juan Hernandez as she bids for her third win from seven tries on the main track.

Trained by Phil D’Amato, Rose Dawson is 14-3-3-0 with earnings of $273,080.