BloodHorse | By Tracy Gantz
A year ago, business partners Michele Arthur and Ruben Islas stood in the Santa Anita Park winner’s circle after their 2-year-old colt Intrepido won the American Pharoah Stakes (G1) on dirt. This time they did it with a 2-year-old filly, Vanta , who captured the Oct. 4 Surfer Girl Stakes (G3T) on turf. So named after “the darkest shade of black,” Islas said, with Arthur adding that “when she gets hot and sweaty, she’s black,” Vanta has shown a penchant for coming from off the pace. She used that method in her two races at Del Mar, both wins, which included the Del Mar Juvenile Fillies Turf Stakes. Vanta turned in the same type of performance in the 1-mile Surfer Girl.
