Taris wins $200,000 La Canada Stakes at Santa Anita

ARCADIA, Calif. (AP) Taris took command midway around the far turn and went on to win the $200,000 La Canada Stakes by 5 1/4 lengths Saturday at Santa Anita.

Ridden by Hall of Famer Gary Stevens, Taris ran 1 1/16 miles in 1:44.38 and paid $4, $2.60 and $2.10 as the even-money favorite.

Birdatthewire returned $3.40 and $2.20, while Yahilwa was another 1 1/4 lengths back in third and paid $2.10 to show in the Grade 2 race.

The victory, worth $120,000, increased Taris' career earnings to $807,700, with seven wins in 11 starts.

The race was reduced to five older fillies and mares after Tara's Tango and Honey Ride were scratched earlier in the day.

''It was a perfect trip,'' Stevens said.