Washington-bred Reba Is Tops ended her career Sunday the way she began it nearly four years ago, with a victory.
The 7-year-old mare exploded thru the stretch for a 2 ¼-length victory in the $78,400 Wishing Well Stakes for older fillies and mares at Santa Anita. With Joe Talamo riding, Reba Is Tops passed all eight rivals and won eased up at the wire, running about 6 ½ furlongs in 1 minute, 13.25 seconds on firm turf. She paid $8.40 as the second choice in the wagering.
To be bred to Broken Vow next month in Kentucky, Reba Is Tops won for the second time in nine days—earning $46,080—and finished her career a sparking 14-for-29 with earnings of $454,709. She moved into 13th place on the all-time list of Washington-bred earners.
Trained by Washington native Mark Glatt, Reba Is Tops is owned by Ken Marshall, Eric Schweiger and Gordon Jarnig, who claimed the bay daughter of He’s Tops for $17,500 from her third career start July 1, 2007. She debuted May 4, 2007 with a 2 ½-length victory in a $12,500 maiden-claiming race at Emerald Downs.
Sunday, Marshall watched the race with Glatt at Santa Anita while Schweiger watched via simulcast at Gulfstream Park in Hallandale, Fla., and Jarnig held down the fort at Emerald Downs. Interviewed by HRTV in the winner’s circle, Marshall was in tears and confirmed Reba Is Tops was retired.
Jarnig said he was concerned when Reba Is Tops uncharacteristically was in last place early. Her normal style is to stalk the leaders and pounce in the lane.
“That was the most awesome race I’ve ever seen,” Jarnig said. “On the backside I said she had no chance. This is so great. She deserves to go out a winner and to go out sound.”
Bred by Rich and Ann Richardson of Chelan, Wash., was trained by Tom Wenzel for her first four races, Bud Klokstad for her middle nine races and Glatt for her final 16 races. She won stakes at Bay Meadows, Hollywood Park and Santa Anita.
