Private purchase Anisette dominates G1 American Oaks

Private purchase Anisette turned in another performance out of the top drawer on Tuesday for owner Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners when easily accounting for her rivals in the Grade 1 American Oaks at Santa Anita.

It was the second Grade 1 success for Anisette following her spectacular display in the Grade 1 Del Mar Oaks in August. The daughter of Awtaad was purchased out of Kevin Philippart de Foy’s yard late last year in conjunction with Aron Wellman and immediately hit the ground running for Leonard Powell in California, rattling off victories in an allowance race and the Grade 2 San Clemente Stakes prior to her Del Mar Oaks success.

On Tuesday, she was always travelling well for Umperto Rispoli and having been pulled out at the top of the stretch, breezed past the leader Be Your Best for an easy near two-length score.

“Today was a tactical race again,” said Umberto Rispoli. “We were just a couple of lengths behind the speed and she does the rest.

“It’s a pleasure to be on a filly like that. She has given me two Grade 1s this year. I think she is back at the top like she was in Del Mar with that kick. We knew she had it.”

Tuesday’s win brought Anisette’s earnings to $606,871. She has been admirably consistent throughout the year, winning four of six starts and running second in the other two.

“You need a horse to do that and she’s the goods, as I’ve said before,” said Leonard Powell. “We’ve chosen to give her plenty of time between races and that’s the key of keeping her on top of the game.

“She’s happy and healthy, so that’s the main thing.”

Anisette was bred by the Morera Partnership, in whose colours she won at Wolverhampton, and is out of Tutti Frutti, a Teofilo half-sister to the Group 1 Nassau Stakes winner Soft Centre.