ARCADIA, Calif. (AP) - Shakin It Up won the $200,000 Strub Stakes by 2¼ lengths at Santa Anita on Saturday for Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert.
Ridden by Hall of Famer Mike Smith, Shakin It Up ran 1 1/16 miles in 1:41.86 and paid $8.20, $5 and $3.20.
“I was never really sure he could go two turns,” Baffert said. “Today, the way he did it, I was pretty impressed myself. The time was pretty fast. I know Mike, when he worked him the other day, he just loved him.”
Governor Charlie returned $7.60 and $4.40 in his first start since the Preakness Stakes on May 18. He’s also trained by Baffert. Midnight Lute sired both the winner and runner-up.
Hear the Ghost was another 2¼ lengths back in third and paid $2.60 to show as the 7-5 favorite.
The victory, worth $120,000, increased Shakin It Up’s career earnings to $487,600, with four wins in seven starts.
In the $75,000 Megahertz Stakes for fillies and mares, Dancingtothestars defeated Fanticola by a length.
Ridden by Mario Gutierrez, Dancingtothestars ran 1 mile on the turf in 1:33.77 and paid $11, $4.20 and $2.80.
“Mario did a good job at keeping everyone honest, at keeping the pace honest,” winning trainer Doug O’Neill said. “He made another good move going down the backside when he made sure Fanticola didn’t get a chance to catch a breather. She’s a game, gutsy filly but I thought his ride won the race for us.”
Fanticola returned $3.40 and $2.40 as the 3-2 second choice.
Ireland-bred Gulsary was another head back in third and paid $2.20 to show as the 3-2 favorite.
The victory, worth $60,000, increased Dancingtothestars’ career earnings to $400,872, with six wins in 20 starts.
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