Book Review wins La Brea Stakes in photo finish

By: SPORTS NETWORK

Arcadia, CA (Sports Network) - Book Review, ridden by Rafael Bejarano, came storming down the stretch to catch Reneesgotzip and champion filly My Miss Aurelia at the wire to win Wednesday's $300,000 La Brea Stakes on opening day of Santa Anita's 2012-13 racing season.

My Miss Aurelia, 2011 champion 2-year-old filly, was the 2-5 favorite in the field of seven 3-year-old fillies for the La Brea at seven-furlongs. Book Review went off as the 9-2 second choice, breaking from the outside post.

Setting the pace in the stakes was Reneesgotzip with Nechez Dawn to her outside and the favorite three wide. The top three battled through the backstretch and into the far turn.

Around the final turn, My Miss Aurelia and jockey Corey Nakatani had a short lead with Reneesgotzip second and Nechez Dawn right along side. Coming out of the turn and into the stretch My Miss Aurelia and Reneesgotzip battled as they appeared to bump driving to the wire.

Making a big move down the stretch was Book Review. Trained by Bob Baffert, Book Review caught the two frontrunners just before the wire and was able put her neck out first over Reneesgotzip. My Miss Aurelia was another neck back in third.

Finishing fourth was Candrea followed by Nechez Dawn, Creditcardroulette and Mamma Kimbo.

The time for the La Brea was 1:22.41 on a track listed as 'wet fast.'

Owned by Gary and Mary West, Book Review notched her fifth win in 10 career starts and added $180,000 to the bankroll which stands at $594,955. The chestnut filly was joined in the race by two other Baffert trainees, Candrea and Mamma Kimbo.

Book Review won the Charles Town Oaks in September followed by a win in the Imperial Gesture Stakes a month later at Belmont Park. She was coming off a fifth-place result at Aqueduct in the Gazelle Stakes behind Dance Card.

Book Review returned $11.60, $5.40 and $2.60. Reneesgotzip paid $5.80 and $2.40, and My Miss Aurelia paid $2.10 to show.