Cordero Rides Garden Gal to Victory in La Centinela

Making her first start since finishing third in the Hollywood Starlet, Garden Gal withstood a stretch-long challenge from Nice Assay to win the $76,800 La Centinela Stakes Wednesday at Santa Anita.

The 3-5 favorite in a field reduced to four 3-year-old fillies after three scratches, Garden Gal won by a half-length under Angel Cordero, completing the mile in 1:35 3/5.

This was the third victory in seven starts for the Valid Appeal filly, who is owned by Jan, Mace and Samantha Siegel and trained by Brian Mayberry. Never worse than third, Garden Gal, who added Lasix Wednesday, hadn’t won since winning the Landaluce last July 7 at Hollywood Park.

“She was waiting for horses more than anything,” said Cordero, who has ridden the winnerGarden Gal four times. “I thought she was done, but she finished strong. When I got by (Tomorrow’s Song), her ears went up and she was looking for company.”

Present Moment was third, five lengths behind Nice Assay and Tomorrow’s Song, the 5-2 second choice who was impressive in her career debut Dec. 30, was last. Assombrie, Lady Turk and Paula Revere were scratched.