Touching Rainbows Takes the $100,000 Cal Cup Sprint

ARCADIA, CA –  Touching Rainbows took over late in Saturday’s $100,000 California Cup Sprint Stakes at Santa Anita. This was the first win since June for the six-year-old California bred son of Aragorn (Ire) and his first career stakes victory.

The 8-5 post time favorite Edwards Going Left broke poorly and started off with a lot of ground to make up. Meanwhile, Richard’s Boy shot to the front for the early lead with Heck Yeah second best more than two lengths back. Richard’s Boy maintained his lead and set fractions of :22.13, :44.96, and :57.11. As they approached the turn, Touching Rainbows made a move on the outside to pull alongside Richard’s Boy and was the only pressure Richard’s Boy faced. As they hit the top of the stretch, it looked like a two-horse duel in the making, but Catching Rainbows moved right by Richard’s boy and flew to the wire for a 1 1/4 length victory. Richard’s Boy finished an easy second. Edwards Going Left finished ahead of Minoso for third.

“I got the feeling for the race,” said jockey Tiago Pereira. “I had good speed in the race and I tried to close. I think the number five had more speed today but my horse was running easy.”

“I think he loves six furlongs,” said trainer Phil D’amato. “That day at Del Mar, it was like a deep muddy sand trap, so I think all the speed horses kind of died that day, but today he got a track he likes and skipped right over it.”

Touching Rainbows returned $8.00 to win, $3.80 to place, and $2.60 to show. Richard’s Boy brought back $3.80 to place and $2.60 to show, while Edwards Going Left paid $2.20 to show.