At the Spa is still undefeated after a gritty performance in the $100,000 CTBA S. on Aug. 5 at Del Mar, winning a three-horse photo by a neck in the 5 1/2-furlong race for 2-year-old fillies.
Prior to Thursday, At the Spa collected two wins at Santa Anita, a seven-length maiden special weight win and a 2 1/4-length victory in the $100,000 Debutante. Thursday’s win upped her earnings to $164,580 for owners Tom Beckerle, Saul Carillo and Terry Lovingier, the latter also her breeder.
At the Spa and jockey Tyler Baze broke well and sat along the fence just behind the pacesetter Ko Olina. Going into the turn, she had to check back off the leader, then Baze had to take another snug hold with about three furlongs to go when he had a wall of horses in front of him. Turning for home Ko Olina drifted out just enough for At the Spa to make her way through a very narrow opening. She took the lead with a furlong to go and held off Drizella and Madiha at the wire to finish in 1:06.11 on a fast track.
“She showed me a lot today,” said trainer Jorge Perigan. “She showed that she can come from behind. Most of the time she breaks in front. We had a few problems in the stretch but we got lucky to get inside and get the money. We will wait and see about (next race), but maybe the (Del Mar Debutante, Grade I, September 5) and if we get lucky, maybe the Breeders’ Cup.”
At the Spa is the lone foal out of Spa Creek, herself a four-time stakes winner.
Outwork is having an excellent year with his second crop of runners, accounting for seven stakes horses to date, including a trio of stakes winners.
