Patentar wins tough Santa Anita allowance

Patentar pictured at Tattersalls in October 2012

The classy Patentar returned to winning ways for Simon Callaghan on Sunday with a game victory in a tough allowance at Santa Anita.

Partnered by Rafael Bejarano, Patentar was quick away from the gate, allowing him to dictate matters throughout. The favourite, Grade 2 winner Frank Conversation, launched a strong challenge on the home turn but Patentar had enough in reserve to fend off that rival and win in cosy fashion. Former Canadian Horse of the Year Up With The Birds was well beaten in third.

Bought by Tony Nerses as a yearling from breeder Whatton Manor Stud, Patentar was initially trained by Marco Botti for whom he won a conditions race at Lingfield and his juvenile debut at York. The son of Teofilo also ran fourth to Toormore in the Craven Stakes at Newmarket.

Since then, Patentar has had a successful campaign in California under the care of Simon Callaghan. Sunday’s victory was his second win Stateside while he also ran second in last year’s Grade 2 Charles Whittingham Handicap.

Patentar was bred by Peter Player out of Poppets Sweetlove, a winning Foxhound half-sister to the Budapest bullet Overdose.