ARCADIA, Calif. (AP) — A day after taking his first stakes since his comeback attempt began last month, Hall of Fame jockey Gary Stevens won another at Santa Anita on Sunday, guiding Purim’s Dancer to a breakaway win in the $75,000 Wishing Well stakes.
Stevens and Purim’s Dancer, a 4-year-old filly from the barn of Thomas Proctor, were fourth in the early going of the stakes on the special downhill course, but had a two-length lead by the time they reached the main turf track and pulled away to beat long shot Dancingtothestars by 314 lengths, covering about 612 furlongs in 1:12.25.
When the weekend began, the 49-year-old Stevens had won just two races of any kind since his comeback began Jan. 6
The winner paid $8.80, $5.40 and $4.20. Dancingtothestars paid $14 and $7.60. The favorite, Byrama, had to rally from the back of the field for third. She paid $3.40 to show.
Purim’s Dancer earned $48,300 for her sixth career win, increasing her lifetime earnings to $117,960.