Casalu makes it two straight with Sweet Life S. win

Casalu shook clear in upper stretch to win Sunday’s $100,000 Sweet Life S. at Santa Anita by 1 ¾-lengths, giving the Bob Baffert-trained filly her second straight stakes win.

In her first start on the downhill turf course, Casalu bounded to the lead immediately, then relinquished it to a headstrong Practical Dream just after the first quarter-mile. Practical Dream held the top spot until just after the field crossed the dirt track, when Casalu asserted herself and drew away in the final furlong to win going away in 1:12.90 on a firm turf course.

“It was pretty simple,” Flavien Prat said of his winning ride. “She broke well and as always was very professional. She got the job done. I was thankful to pick up the mount. I know Kazushi Kimura is out [Casalu’s regular rider, currently sidelined with an injury] and I wish him a speedy recovery.”

Casalu has now amassed $234,546 in earnings for Mike Pegram, Karl Watson and Paul Weitman. The 3-year-old filly won the Blue Norther S. on Dec. 28 and placed in a trio of graded stakes last year as well.