Creative Cause captures San Felipe

By: SPORTS NETWORK

Arcadia, CA (Sports Network) - Co-favorites Creative Cause and Bodemeister battled down the stretch Saturday at Santa Anita Park, but it was Creative Cause who prevailed in the $300,000 San Felipe Stakes. The 1 1/16-miles was run in 1:41.84 on a fast track.

Creative Cause and Bodemeister both went off as 2-1 favorites in the 10-horse field. In the morning-line Creative Cause was the 5-2 favorite with Bodemeister second at 3-1.

"Right off the bat, it was a very difficult decision whether to make Creative Cause or Bodemeister the favorite," said Santa Anita oddsmaker Jon White. "I think it could go either way. But I opted for Creative Cause based to some extent on the Kentucky Derby Future Wager pool that closed last Sunday. Creative Cause was 17-1, Bodemeister 29-1, Empire Way 37-1, Liaison 39-1, Rousing Sermon 68-1 and Midnight Transfer 73-1."

Setting the pace in the San Felipe was American Act with Bodemeister and jockey Rafael Bejarano pressing the leader. Creative Cause, with Joel Rosario in the saddle, was fifth up the backstretch.

Bodemeister took the lead on the far turn with Tiz Point in second and Creative Cause wide on the turn moving into third. Coming out of the final turn Creative Cause edged to the lead with Bodemeister second to the inside. In third near the rail was 14-1 longshot Midnight Transfer.

Down the stretch both Creative Cause and Bodemeister raced erratically. Creative Cause edged ahead approaching the finish and registered a three- quarter length win over Bodemeister.

Midnight Transfer finished third followed by Liaison, Rousing Sermon, Blingo, American Act, Tiz Point, Empire Way and Groovin' Solo.

Creative Cause is trained by Mike Harrington who also trains Empire Way.

"I would have preferred to run them in separate races, but it's all about the timing (to reach the Kentucky Derby)." Harrington noted. "The San Felipe was in my original plan for Creative Cause."

Owned by Heinz Steinmann, Creative Cause notched his fourth win in seven career starts and picked up $180,000. The gray son of Giant's Causeway has total earnings of $719,000.

As a two-year-old Creative Cause had victories in the Best Pal Stakes at Del Mar and the Norfolk at Santa Anita. The colt finished third last month in the San Vicente behind Drill.

Creative Cause returned $6.40, $3.40 and $2.60. Bodemeister paid $3.40 and $2.80, and Midnight Transfer paid $6.00 to show.

The San Felipe is the final local prep for the Santa Anita Derby on April 7.