Private purchase Anisette impressive in G2 breakthrough

Private purchase Anisette made a spectacular breakthrough into Graded stakes company for owners Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners at Del Mar on Saturday with an impressive victory in the G2 San Clemente Stakes.

The Awtaad filly was returning following an easy win in allowance company at Santa Anita on her first start Stateside for trainer Leonard Powell. Sent off the 2/1 choice, she justified those odds by powering from off the pace to take command and win by two-and-a-half lengths from Ocean Club with G1 winner And Tell Me Nolies in third.

“It was a good trip for me,” said winning rider Umberto Rispoli. “I had to use her a little bit on the backside to get her into the spot where I wanted her so we could wait. Then when it came time to go wide, she was there. Terrific closing kick. And I absolutely believe the farther they go, the better she’ll be.”

Leonard Powell was equally impressed. He said: “I was very happy with the way the race was unfolding. There was plenty of speed and we were looking for the same kind of run as last time. She was very impressive again and a fast time, 1:34 and four. Older [horses] earlier went 1:35.”

Anisette was purchased privately after breaking her maiden for Kevin Philippart de Foy at Wolverhampton in late December. She is now the winner of three of five starts for close to $170,000 in earnings.

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.