
Ventana gets up in time in G2 Potrero Grande
After a bad trip cost Lookin At Lucky a shot at the win in the Santa Anita Derby (G1), Garrett Gomez got redemption of sorts when he rode Ventana to an exciting nose victory later on the card in the $150,000 Potrero Grande H. (G2) on the Apr. 3 Santa Anita card.
Ventana has the same connections as Lookin At Lucky – trainer Bob Baffert and owners Mike Pegram, Karl Watson, and Paul Weitman.
Eaton’s Gift sprang out on top in the Potrero Grande, with Ventana and Gato Go Win tracking close behind. Swift fractions of :22.47 and :44.91 softened the early leader up after a half-mile, setting up the thrilling stretch duel between Ventana and Gato Go Win. Gato Go Win actually took the lead mid-stretch but Ventana fought gamely under Gomez for the narrow win. Gato Go Win finished second by three-quarters of a length over E Z’s Gentleman in third. Ventana completed the 6 1/2-furlong distance in 1:15.03 on Pro-Ride.
It was the first stakes win for the 4-year-old son of Toccet out of Full Figure. Ventana had run second in both the Palos Verdes and San Carlos handicaps, each Grade 2 events, earlier in the meet. Ventana ran his record to 3-4-2 in 14 lifetime starts and has now earned $256,517 with the Potrero Grande winner’s share of $90,000.

