Steppin Early Wins at Santa Anita
Steppin Early, a lightly raced 4-year-old, rushed to the lead soon after the start and beat Many Passes by three-quarters of a length in Thursday’s $36,000 allowance feature for fillies and mares at Santa Anita.
It was Steppin Early’s second victory in three career starts and provided jockey Patrick Valenzuela with his third winning ride of the day. Valenzuela also took both halves of the daily double with Miracle Mystery ($13.40) and Sobreviviente ($12.20).
Steppin Early carried 116 pounds and covered the six furlongs in 1:10. She paid $7.40, $4.60 and 2.60.
Favored Grandpa’s Kelly finished a neck back in third under Laffit Pincay, a late replacement for Gary Stevens, who was thrown by Go Big Al shortly after the start in the second race. Stevens wasn’t hurt, but took off the remainder of his mounts on a doctor’s advice.
Many Passes, with apprentice James Corral and low weight of 113, paid $4 and 2.60. Grandpa’s Kelly, carrying co-high weight of 117, paid $2.20.
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