Insta Erma surged in the final strides to win the $70,000 Swingtime S. over by a nose over Madame Stripes, with Belvoir Bay just a neck back in a thriller on the Santa Anita turf course on Saturday.
It was the first stakes win for the 4-year-old Pioneerof the Nile filly, who had stakes-placed at Canterbury Park in June and was beaten just three lengths in the John C. Mabee S. (G2) a month ago at Del Mar. She is Pioneerof the Nile’s 10th stakes horse of 2017. His progeny have earned nearly $4.5 million this year.
Insta Erma moved steadily up from fifth to third in the first six furlongs. Still three-wide on the final turn, she lost a bit of momentum coming into the stretch, but re-rallied under Corey Nakatani to prevail in a tight photo.
“Just knowing her like I do made a difference,” said Nakatani. “This is the first time I’ve ridden her in the afternoon, but I’ve been getting on her for Richie and I know her. I was just outside Kent going into the far turn and I was able to make him commit a little early. That put me in a position to win.”
Owned by Medallion Racing, Premier Racing Club, Jerry McClanahan and Little Red Feather Racing, Insta Erma notched her first stakes win and her fourth overall from 14 career starts. With the winner’s share of $44,400, she increased her earnings to $209,852.
The winner was bred by Zayat Stables from their stakes-placed mare Enchanted Woods.
