Ten Meropa provides solace to Arndt, Masino

Although the Santa Anita Handicap would have been much more memorable and lucrative, owners Tom Arndt and Joe Masino got a nice consolation prize Sunday at Santa Anita.

Disappointed with the performance of Monterey Jazz, who stopped badly as the favorite after opening a long lead in the Big ‘Cap, Arndt, who races as A& R Stables, and Masino, whose stable name is Class Racing, watched Ten Meropa, a 10-1 shot making his first start in the U.S., rally strongly in the final quarter of a mile to win the $110,500 Baldwin Stakes.

A winner once in five starts in England, the 3-year-old Johannesburg colt added Lasix in the Grade III. Ridden by Tyler Baze, Ten Meropa, who had failed to win in two starts on the turf in Europe, ran the 6 1/2 furlongs on the grass in 1:13.09.

“We didn’t really know what to expect, but it is a great surprise,” said trainer Ral Ayers, Jeff Mullins’ assistant who is running the barn while the boss is serving a suspension. “Tyler has been getting on him a lot and he has been working well at Hollywood Park.”

Sky Cape, the 2-1 favorite, finished second, nearly three lengths in front of D. Double You, who was a nose better than 17-1 outsider Nevada Worrier.

Sea Of Pleasure, the 5-2 second choice who came in having won three of four, faded to seventh after being involved in the early pace in his turf debut.

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The lone winning ticket on the pick six at Santa Anita on Saturday, which was worth $645,097.20, cost $756 and was purchased in Las Vegas.

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Bsharpsonata, the 5-2 second choice, won her fourth in a row and second consecutive Grade II with a two-length victory over favored Game Face and four others in the $150,000 Davona Dale at Gulfstream Park in Florida.

Trained by Timothy Salzman for owner-breeder Cloverleaf Farm II Inc., Bsharpsonata, a 3-year-old Pulpit filly, ran the mile in 1:37.97 under jockey Eric Camacho.

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Monastery Scandal, who went wrong as the favorite in the fourth race Saturday at Santa Anita, had to be euthanized.

A 4-year-old gelded son of Free House owned by breeders John and Cheryl Toffan, had two wins in 10 starts.

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bob.mieszerski@latimes.com