Today February 16, 2026, 01:24 AM
Today February 16, 2026, 01:24 AM
Man O Rose took on one new challenge and then another and kept winning in the $100,009 Palos Verdes Stakes at Santa Anita on Sunday.
The Jeff Mullins-trained 6-year-old, ridden for the first time by Emisael Jaramillo, paid $4. Listenupshance finished second, Pilot Commander third. Madaket Road was scratched in the morning.
Man O Rose was ostensibly stepping up in class after four straight wins in stakes restricted to California-breds. In addition to running against open company, he seemed to face another disadvantage when he failed to get his usual early lead from the No. 1 post going 6 furlongs. Fourth early, he swung out and rallied for his 13th victory in 19 career races and fifth in as many starts at Santa Anita.
“That hasn’t been his running style,” Mullins said, “but Jaramillo did a good job getting him to the outside. He showed a new dimension, which is nice.”
Cal-breds also had a good day in a Kentucky Derby qualifying points race in New Mexico, where Pavlovian ($12.20) and Express Kid were 1-2 in a photo finish in the $500,000 Sunland Derby. Doug O’Neill trains Pavlovian, ridden by Edwin Maldonado, who gave up the mount on Man O Rose for this race.
Santa Anita canceled its scheduled holiday-Monday card because of expected rain.
