Unzip Me takes Wishing Well Stakes at Santa Anita

ARCADIA, Calif. (AP) - Six-year-old mare Unzip Me held off Teroda by a half-length Sunday in the $86,600 Wishing Well Stakes, winning for the seventh time in 11 starts on Santa Anita's downhill turf course.

Sent off at odds of 7-10 despite several poor recent performances as a prohibitive favorite, Unzip Me and jockey Rafael Bejarano sat third in the early going, but took the lead as the bottom of the hillside turns into the main track, covering about 6 1/2 furlongs in 1:11.94.

Despite her accomplished record and nearly a million in earnings as a sprinter, Unzip Me's connections had considered running her at a mile for the first time Saturday in the $100,000 Valentine Dancer Stakes, but had a last minute change of heart.

The result was the California-bred mare's 14th victory in 25 starts, and her 22nd time finishing in the money.

"She's just all heart, she's a special horse,'' said Unzip Me trainer Marty Jones.

His father, Gary Jones, trained stakes namesake Wishing Well.

Unzip Me, a daughter of City Zip and Escape With Me, earned $57,000, taking her career total to $959,228.