ARCADIA, Calif. (AP) — Viva Carina led all the way to win the $58,000 Rio Grande Purse by a half-length at Santa Anita on Friday.
Ridden by Victor Espinoza, Viva Carina ran 114 miles on the turf in 2:00.11 and paid $12.80, $7.80 and $3.60.
The Only Key returned $21.20 and $9.20, while Warren’s Got Game was another head back in third and paid $3 to show.
“It wasn’t easy because you have to really ride this horse to keep her going,” Espinoza said. “I started riding her as we came to the half-mile pole and I rode her all the way to the finish. She’ll run all day, but you have to stay after her.”
The victory, worth $34,800, increased Viva Carina’s career earnings to $108,220, with two wins in seven starts.
