Go Back
Veteran Gelding Johnny Podres Rallies From Last To Earn 1st Stakes Win In $100,000 Sensational Star
3/24/2024
VETERAN GELDING JOHNNY PODRES RALLIES FROM LAST TO EARN 1ST STAKES WIN IN $100,000 SENSATIONAL STAR FOR CALIFORNIA-BREDS ON THE HIILLSIDE TURF COURSE
Trainer Librado Barocio claimed the winner for $40,000 last May
In his 36th career start, veteran gelding Johnny Podres earned the biggest win of his career Saturday at Santa Anita with a narrow victory in the $100,000 Sensational Star for older California-breds on the hillside turf course.
Ridden by Geovanni Franco, Johnny Podres (5-1) was last of seven when the field passed the dirt crossing into the stretch in the about 6 ½-furlong Sensational Star. He launched his rally on the far outside just as Lovesick Blues, who was also in the second half of the field, also found his best stride under Juan Hernandez. Johnny Podres edged past Lovesick Blues (9-2) inside the eighth pole and kept to his task to prevail by a head.
This was the first stakes win for Johnny Podres, who trainer Librado Barocio claimed for $40,000 11 months ago at Santa Anita. This was also the first stakes win of the Classic Meet for both Barocio and Franco.
“Johnny Podres is a horse that always will give you his best,” Franco said. “Coming down the hill he was a little eager to go but he waited for me to give him the command. Once we crossed the dirt he took off from there.” Lovesick Blues, trained by Steve Miyadi for owner-breeder Nick Alexander, finished 1 ¼ lengths in front of Clovisconnection (3-1) in third. Catalina Eddy, the 2-1 favorite for trainer Craig Lewis, was another neck back in fourth.
Johnny Podres was claimed last April from Miyadi and Alexander. The 7-year-old by Grazen, who now races for owner David A. Bernsen and Mia Familia Racing Stables, improved his career record to 8-8-6 in 36 starts with $422,870 in earnings.
Since joining Barocio’s barn, Johnny Podres had been limited to minor awards before finally breaking through 23 days ago with Franco up in a $50,000 claimer going six furlongs on turf. His best previous finish in a stakes was a runner-up effort in the California Flag for statebreds on the hillside turf course last October.
“Last time he ran for the $50,000 tag and I was praying that nobody would take him,” Barocio said. “Geovanni gave him a perfect ride and he won. When he came back to the barn, he kind of puffed up and it was like he got his confidence back. I was telling my friends today that he was going to run really big and thank God he did. He ran a lights-out race and I’m so proud of him.”
Johnny Podres, who won in a final time of 1:12.57, returned $12.80, $6.60 and $4.00. Lovesick Blues returned $6.40 and $4.00 and Clovisconnection paid $4.60 to show.
Fractions for the race were 22.14, 44.66 and 1:07.11.
Live racing resumes Friday at Santa Anita with a nine-race card starting at 1 p.m.