Fun House Thrives on Wet Course

A turf course softened by rain was certainly to Fun House’s liking on Saturday at Santa Anita.

The 5-year-old Prized mare, who has been content to run either second or third for most of her career, won the $150,000 Buena Vista Handicap by 2 3/4 lengths.

Trained by Ron McAnally for Ron Winchell’s Winchell Thoroughbreds and ridden for the first time by Gary Stevens, Fun House, an 11-1 shot, completed the mile over a course labeled good in 1:36.13.

This was the fifth lifetime victory for Fun House, but only her second in nine tries at the distance.

Katdogawn, the 7-2 third choice, rallied to be second, a half-length in front of 17-1 outsider Fudge Fatale, then came Personal Legend, the 2-1 second choice, 7-5 favorite Maiden Tower, Southern Oasis and Drew Away.

“She loved that stuff,� Stevens said. “It’s really soft out there. When you get one that handles it like she did, it’s fun because you know the rest of the horses are struggling and she was skipping through it.�

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Kaufy Mate, a 34-1 shot who broke his maiden against claimers, upset The Cliff’s Edge to win the $100,000 Sam Davis Stakes at Tampa Bay Downs.

A 3-year-old son of Diligence ridden by Ramsey Zimmerman, Kaufy Mate beat The Cliff’s Edge, who was making his first start in nearly three months for trainer Nick Zito, by 1 3/4 lengths. He completed the 1 1/16 miles in 1:44.60 for his third win in five starts.

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Redskin Warrior, the 2-1 second choice, made a successful return to the races, easily winning the $81,825 Best Turn Stakes at Aqueduct.

Owned by Ernie Paragallo’s Paraneck Stable and trained by Jennifer Pedersen, the 3-year-old Indian Charlie colt beat 13-1 shot Scary Bob and five others by five lengths in 1:09.82 for the six furlongs. This was the third win in a row for Redskin Warrior, but marked his first start since an allowance victory last Oct. 30. Richard Migliore rode the colt, who was purchased for $68,000 last May.

“He went into the race great, but you never want to say, ‘Oh, he’s just going to gallop,’ because something always comes up,� said Pedersen. “For the last couple of days, he was where I wanted him to be coming into this race. We can move on now.�

Pedersen said Redskin Warrior might make his first start around two turns in the $500,000 Lane’s End Futurity on March 20 at Turfway Park. Paragallo and Pedersen won the 1 1/8 mile race last year with New York Hero.

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Kitten’s Joy, the 3-5 favorite, remained unbeaten in four starts on the turf with a 1 3/4-length score over Prince Arch and 10 others in the $100,000 Palm Beach Handicap at Gulfstream Park.

Jerry Bailey rode the 3-year-old son of El Prado for owner-breeders Ken and Sarah Ramsey and trainer Dale Romans and Kitten’s Joy, who had collected his three previous grass wins at Belmont Park, Churchill Downs and Calder, completed the 1 1/8 miles in 1:48.76.

“He seemed to get really worked up before the race, which bothered me, but he broke well and settled nice,� Bailey said. “It was a little tight in there around the three-eighths pole, but we got clear. Really, the most anxious moments were in the post parade.�

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Spectacular Lisa, the 9-5 second choice, beat California shipper and 17-10 favorite Tropical Blossom by 1 1/2 lengths to win the $100,000 Chou Croute Handicap at the Fair Grounds in New Orleans. A 4-year-old daughter of Formal Gold owned by Green River Farms and trained by Mike Stidham, Spectacular Lisa earned her sixth win in 12 starts, completing the 1 1/16 miles in 1:43.55 under jockey Robby Albarado. ... Giovannetti, an 8-1 shot, went wire-to-wire to capture the $100,000 Ken Maddy Sprint at Golden Gate Fields. Danny Sorenson rode the 5-year-old Memo gelding for owner Bernie Schiappa and trainer Frank Monteleone. Favored Green Team was second and Debonair Joe was third. The win, his eighth in 18 starts, ended Giovannetti’s six-race losing streak, during which he had been beaten a combined 80 1/2 lengths.