Slim Shadey led all the way in winning the $150,000 San Marcos Stakes by a head Saturday at Santa Anita.
Ridden by David Flores, Slim Shadey ran 1-1/4 miles on the turf in 2 minutes, 1.55 seconds and returned $25.20 for a win bet. It was his first graded stakes victory.
Utopian was second, and Norvsky was another three-quarters of a length back in third.
“We planned on being on the lead and wanted to get him to relax,” said Simon Callaghan, Slim Shadey's trainer. “David gave him an absolutely perfect ride. The horse was training really good. I thought he was in tough today, but when you can go to the front and have tactical speed like him, it’s good.
"There was no real pace in the race, and David just gave him a perfect ride. It’s nice when the plans come off.”
Sanagas, the 4-5 favorite, finished last in the field of six. Bourbon Bay, who had won five of his previous six starts on the turf, was fourth.
The victory, worth $90,000, increased Slim Shadey's career earnings to $212,038, with three wins in 16 starts.
