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ARCADIA, Calif. (AP) — Stormy Lucy rallied to win the $150,000 Santa Barbara Handicap by a neck at Santa Anita on Sunday.
Ridden by Rafael Bejarano, Stormy Lucy ran 1¼ miles on the turf in 1:58.73 and paid $5.40, $3 and $2.60 as the 8-5 favorite.
Argentina-bred Miss Serendipity returned $4.60 and $3.80, while Changethechannel was another 4¼ lengths back in third and paid $5.80 to show.
Stormy Lucy was trained by Frank Lucarelli in her previous 21 starts before she was sold privately to Lucarelli's high school friend Steve Moger. His brother, Ed Moger, trains the 5-year-old mare now.
"The horse was ready-made when I got her," Ed Moger said.
Stormy Lucy was coming off a win in the Santa Ana Stakes on March 16.
"Her last race, she was rank when she was behind horses but today she relaxed," Bejarano said. "She and I were really comfortable the whole way, all the way to the three-eighths pole. I was confident to come around and let her go. I knew how much horse I had at the three-eighths and I knew she was going to show me a big kick. I just wanted to make sure I was clear and away from any trouble."
The victory, worth $90,000, increased Stormy Lucy's career earnings to $482,200, with seven wins in 22 starts.
In the $100,000 San Simeon Stakes, Sweet Swap beat Lakerville by a half-length.
Ridden by Joe Talamo, Sweet Swap ran 6½ furlongs on the downhill turf course in 1:11.59 and paid $5.60, $3 and $2.60 as the co-9-5 favorite.
Lakerville returned $2.80 and $2.40 as the other favorite. Handsome Mike was another 2½ lengths back in third and paid $5.20 to show.
The victory, worth $60,000, increased Sweet Swap's career earnings to $287,133, with six wins in 12 starts.
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