Angel Nadeshiko Pulls Off Front-Running Heist As She Takes Grade III, $100,000 Robert J. Frankel Stakes

ANGEL NADESHIKO PULLS OFF FRONT-RUNNING HEIST AS SHE TAKES GRADE III, $100,000 ROBERT J. FRANKEL STAKES BY THREE QUARTERS OF A LENGTH UNDER FRESU

ARCADIA, CA (Dec. 30, 2023)—Dismissed at 18-1, trainer Paddy Gallagher’s Angel Nadeshiko pulled off a front-running heist in Saturday’s Grade III, $100,000 Robert J. Frankel Stakes at Santa Anita, as she had plenty left in the tank late to prevail by three quarters of a length while getting a mile and one eighth under Antonio Fresu in 1:50.69.

Allowed to make an easy lead while in-hand around the first turn, Angel Nadeshiko strolled through fractions of 25.67, 51.16, 1:15.41 and 1:38.98 over a course softened some by early morning rain and listed as “good.”

With fellow longshot Rebel Girl second, a length behind the winner going to the far turn, Fresu stepped on the gas, shook loose and was then able to keep Lakota Spirit at bay late.

Most recently fifth in an ungraded one mile stakes at Los Alamitos on Sept. 23, Angel Nadeshiko, a 4-year-old filly by Carpe Diem, had been winless in her last seven starts dating back to December of last year and paid $39.80, $13.40 and $4.40.

Owned by US Equine, Angel Nadeshiko, who is out of the Arch mare Cianchetta, notched her first stakes win today and her third overall win from 16 career starts. With the winner’s share of $60,000, she improved her earnings to $227,780.

Lakota Spirit, ridden by Juan Hernandez, saved ground while a close third most of the trip and fired off the turn for home but couldn’t overcome the slow pace set by the winner. Off as the 8-5 favorite in a field of six fillies and mare three and up, she paid $4.00 and $2.80.

Ridden by Flavien Prat and like Lakota Spirit, trained by Phil D’Amato, Oakhurst was off as the second choice at 2-1 and paid $2.20 to show.

Live racing resumes with first post time for a nine-race card on Sunday at 12 noon. Admission gates will open at 10 a.m.