ARCADIA, Calif. (AP) Havanna Belle took the lead with a sixteenth of a mile to go and went on to win the $75,000 Astra Stakes for older fillies and mares by 2 1/4 lengths Sunday at Santa Anita.
Ridden by Brice Blanc, Havanna Belle ran 1 2/2 miles on turf in 2:227.03 and paid $22.20, $10.80 and $8 at 10-1 odds. The 4-year-old Ireland-bred filly snapped a four-race skid.
Energia Fribby returned $18.60 and $12.80 at 18-1 odds. Sweet as a Rose was another nose back in third and paid $7.40 to show.
The victory, worth $47,520, increased Havanna Belle's career earnings to $111,813, with three wins in 14 starts.
''I was able to break from the gate well and she put me right into the race,'' Blanc said. ''She got a little keen the first part but I was able to give her a little breather coming onto the front side and it made all the difference. It was just how I envisioned it in my head.''
