Arham Keeps To His Task And Overhauls Favored Took Charge To Take $72,000 Santa Anita Allowance Feature

ARHAM KEEPS TO HIS TASK AND OVERHAULS FAVORED TOOK CHARGE TO TAKE $72,000 SANTA ANITA ALLOWANCE FEATURE BY 1 ¼ LENGTHS

SANTA ANITA ‘SHIP & WIN’ BONUS PROVIDES WINNING OWNERS WITH EXTRA $15,120

ARCADIA, Calif. (Dec. 31, 2021)–Although John Velazquez appeared well positioned to take down his fifth winner of the day, the Vladimir Cerin-trained Arham was too much in the final sixteenth of a mile and he kept to his task and eventually overhauled his well supported opponent for a hard-fought 1 ¼ length win under Juan Hernandez. As an added bonus, Arham, who got six furlongs in 1:09.71, also provided his owners, Holly and David Wilson, with 35 percent of the normal winner’s share–thanks to Santa Anita’s Ship & Win Program.

Although he tried to get on terms with Took Charge leaving the quarter pole, Velazquez managed to open up a length when they straightened for home and Arham was finally able to turn the tables late.

Based in New York this spring and summer with Todd Pletcher, Arham, a 4-year-old colt by Union Rags, pressed the pace in a one mile allowance Nov. 13 at Del Mar and was off at 7-2 in a field of six 3-year-olds and up, returning $9.20, $3.80 and $3.00.

“I won on him at Del Mar and he had worked really good coming into this race,” said Hernandez. “I didn’t know if he was going to win, because there were a couple good horses in here. He responded good and he showed he can go short or long.”

With the winner’s share of $43,200, Arham, who is out of the Smart Strike mare Sanaaya, increased his earnings to $159,060. Additionally, the Wilson’s will get a Ship & Win Bonus check for $15,120.

Took Charge, who did just that until the final stages, was off at 6-5 and paid $2.80 and $2.40 while finishing 1 ¾ lengths in front of Canadian Pride.

The second choice at 3-1, Canadian Pride paid $2.80 with Flavien Prat up.

Fractions on the race were 22.08, 44.85 and 56.95.

First post time for a 10-race card that will include four graded stakes on Saturday is at 12 noon. For additional information, please visit santaanita.com or call (626) 574-RACE.