Artie Schiller registered a rare feat in the $200,000 City of Hope S. (G2) on Saturday when his offspring finished first and second in the one mile turf contest at Santa Anita, with Big Bane Theory besting Mr. Commons by a length and one half.
The City of Hope marked Big Bane Theory’s first graded stakes win. He is one of 17 stakes horses this year by his sire.
Big Bane Theory bested the field of older grass horses with a solid, steady performance, advancing from fifth at the half-way point to take over at the top of the stretch. Mr. Commons, meanwhile, in just his second start this year, came with a big run from last to nab the place spot.
“We had a perfect trip. I was able to save ground,” said winning rider Joe Talamo. “They were flying up front, going pretty quick which was perfect for us. I saw Soi Phet drifting out on the (far) turn a bit and I had to weave us through a bit of traffic that last part, but I got him out and then he did the rest.”
Big Bane Theory is trained by Carla Gaines and is owned by his breeders, Scott Gross and Mark Devereaux. With the winners’ share of $120,000, he increased his earnings to $330,640.
Bred in California, Big Bane Theory is a half-brother to Count Fleet S. winner Laus Deo.
