Switch Cruises To Win Santa Monica Stakes

ARCADIA (AP) -- Overwhelming favorite Switch romped to a 3 1/2-length victory Sunday in the $250,000 Santa Monica Stakes for her second Grade 1 win of the young Santa Anita season.

The 4-year-old filly ridden by Joel Rosario was barely challenged by the other five older females in the field, catching a pair of early leaders on the turn and leading by as many as four lengths in the stretch as she covered seven furlongs in 1:20.70.

"I didn't think it would set up that easy," Rosario said.

"She's a nice horse and she's improving more and more every day."

The winner paid $2.60, $2.20 and $2.10. Gilded Gem was second and returned $4.80 and $3.40. Sweet August Moon paid $4 to show.

Switch has won five times in 12 starts for earnings of $782,600 and was coming off a victory in Santa Anita's opening day La Brea Stakes.

Trainer John Sadler thinks after the two Grade 1 wins she can become the nation's top older female.

"I thought we'd have a chance to be leader of the division this year, with Zenyatta retiring," Sadler said in the winner's circle.

"Switch is very, very good, as good as anything out there."

(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)