Anna’s Bandit arrives in time to take Conniver
Anna’s Bandit was up in time to win the Conniver. Photo by Laurie Asseo.
HOW IT HAPPENED
In a thrilling finish in which the top three finishers were just a neck apart, Anna’s Bandit and regular pilot Xavier Perez rallied in the center of the track to win the $75,000 Conniver Stakes for Maryland-bred or -sired fillies and mares Saturday at Laurel Park.
Anna’s Bandit, in fifth early, worked between horses on the turn, swung five wide for the drive, and was along just in the nick of time to win the seven-furlong test by a head over S W Briar Rose, with Enchanted Ghost just another neck back in third. Running time for the seven furlongs was 1:23.50 over a fast main track, and it was Anna’s Bandit’s second straight win in this event.
Anna’s Bandit, trained at Laurel Park by Jerry Robb, went off the favorite, paid $4.40 to win, and topped an exacta worth $9.00 for a buck.
THE HORSE
West Virginia-bred Anna’s Bandit is a daughter of Great Notion out of the No Armistice mare Onearmedbandit. She has now won nine of 23 career starts and has earnings of $373,675.
THE HUMANS
Anna’s Bandit was bred in West Virginia by Jerry Robb, and he trains her for No Guts No Glory Farm.Â
THEY SAID IT
“I thought [S W Briar Rose] was the horse I had to beat, but I was hoping it wouldn’t be that close,” said trainer Jerry Robb, adding, “As hard as she runs and with all her injuries, I don’t want to run her where she’s got to run like she did today.”