23-1 shot wins Athenia Handicap

Associated Press

NEW YORK — Sunshine for Life pulled off a front-running upset Saturday in the $110,300 Athenia Handicap for fillies and mares on the turf at Belmont Park.

Jockey Channing Hill guided the 4-year-old right to the front, and they loped along on an uncontested pace. The 23-1 shot, firmly in control with a 2-length lead turning for home, gamely dug in to hold off a late run by Criticism by a half-length with 3-5 favorite Criminologist third.

"I wasn't sure I was going to make the lead," Hill said. "She settled really nicely after the first three jumps. I gave her a little chirp. No one really wanted to go with me, so I thought, 'I'll show them the way to the finish line.' "

Sunshine for Life ran the 11⁄16 miles in 1:41.55 on the firm course, improving her career record to 4-for-11. She earned $66,180 for Jane Schosberg, whose son, Rich, trains the chestnut filly.

Sunshine for Life paid $49, $17.20 and $5.80. Criticism returned $10 and $4.60. Criminologist paid $2.10 to show.

Waquoit's Love was fourth, followed by Oh Deanne O, Social Queen and Classic Neel.

Tasha's Miracle wins photo finish

ARCADIA, Calif. — Tasha's Miracle edged Gorgeous Goose by a nose Saturday in the $106,100 Harold C. Ramser Sr. Handicap for 3-year-old fillies at Santa Anita.

Ridden by Hall of Fame jockey Mike Smith, Tasha's Miracle covered a mile on turf in 1:34.83 and paid $4.60, $3 and $2.60 as the 13-10 wagering favorite.

Gorgeous Goose returned $4.20 and $2.40, while Dawn Before Dawn was a length farther back in third and paid $2.40 to show.

Trainer John Sadler sweated out the photo finish.

"It was very, very tight," Sadler said. "When I watched the race, it was hard to tell. But when I saw it in slo-mo, it looked like we got the bob."

The field was reduced to five by three late scratches.

The victory, worth $63,660, increased Tasha's Miracle's career earnings to $398,452, with three wins in 11 starts. She came in on a six-race losing streak that dated to August 2007.