Pattys Saint, under jockey Eduardo Nicasio, won the $100,000 Abigail Kawananakoa Stakes on Saturday at Los Alamitos.

© William Zuazo

LOS ALAMITOS, CA–JUNE 15, 2024–Dunn Ranch's Pattys Saint scored her 20th career victory while notching her 15th stakes win following her outstanding victory in the $100,000 Abigail Kawananakoa Stakes on Saturday at Los Alamitos.

Often referred at Los Alamitos as the Queen of the Intermountain region because of her career dominance in that part of the country, Pattys Saint has also been the queen of Los Alamitos this season.

The 6-year-old mare of Jess Got Easier in perfect three for three at Los Alamitos this season and the Abigail Kawananakoa is her second $100,000 win in the distaff division at the Southern California track.

Bred by R.L. Harrison, Pattys Saint began the year by winning the Grade 1, $100,000 Charger Bar Handicap on January 7 before adding the Grade 2, $60,000 Miss Princess Handicap on May 5. The Abigial Kawananakoa, which is now in its third running and will be a graded stakes event starting next year, gives Pattys Saint win in the three richest race contested at Los Alamitos so far this season.

Ridden by Eduardo Nicasio for trainer Monty Arrossa, the Idaho-bred mare was third at the start of the 350-yard dash but was in command by the midway point of the race. She would go on to score a ¾ length win over Gary Laramie's Jessica Cruz while covering the distance in :17.468, which is one of the meet's fastest times at this distance.

Matt and Bendi Dunn, jockey Eduardo Nicasio and trainer Monty Arrossa accept the Abigail Kawananakos Stakes trophy. © William Zuazo

Pattys Saint earned $55,000 for the win to take her career earnings to $405,652. She improved her career record to 20 wins in 28 starts. This was her fourth win in six carer starts at Los Alamitos. She also on the Grade 1 Mildred Vessels Memorial Handicap in 2022.

"It's amazing," Matt Dunn said. "She exceeds expectations every time she runs. She's just so consistent and loves to do her job. She's a fun horse to watch and a blessing to own her. Just really excited about her future. She has not failed us yet."

Dunn Ranch purchased Pattys Saint privately prior to her 2024 campaign.

"Monty told me that the horse could be for sale," he added. "Actually, she was going to be put in a (sale auction) but missed the deadline. They wanted to sell her, so we negotiated and worked it out. It was kind of a risk that we took but we thought that she would make a good broodmare. Those northern horses just seem to hold together, have good bone and we just thought she would work for our program. It was a win-win and she's exceeded expectations. It's been a blessing ever since.

Pattys Saint is welcomed back by trainer Monty Arrossa.
© William Zuazo

Pattys Saint will now be pointed to this year's $125,000 Mildred Vessels in September while looking to become a two-time winner of the meet's richest race for aged mares.

Cesar Franco piloted Jessica Cruz to her second consecutive runner-up finish in a row behind Pattys Saint. Bred by Double Bar S Ranch and trained by Elena Andrade, the FDD Dynasty mare out of Jess Cuz also ran second in the Miss Princess.

A winner of the James Smith Memorial Stakes last year, Jessica Cruz earned $22,500 for this effort to take her career earnings to $112,831.

Ed Allred's Nymphette, who second to Pattys Saint in the Mildred Vessels two years, finished third in the Abigail Kawananakoa. Ridden by Jesus Rios Ayala for trainer James Glenn Jr., the mare by Fly Thru The Fire earned $12,500 to raise her career total to $91,670.

The top three finishers were followed by AJ Born Runnin, Tena Rena, Favorite Lady Cartel, Budder Off Friends, Gotta Corona Jess, and Remember Her.

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