Variety Baby Edges T.V. of Crystal to Win La Brea Stakes at Santa Anita

Variety Baby used the middle of the track to overtake favorite T.V. of Crystal and win the $82,800 La Brea Stakes by a half length Sunday at Santa Anita.

The La Brea is the first of three races for 4-year-old fillies in the La Canada Series, which also includes the $100,000 El Encino Stakes, Jan. 21, and the $200,000-added La Canada Stakes, Feb. 4.

Variety Baby, ridden by Corey Black, came into the stretch four wide and wore down T.V. of Crystal in the final sixteenth. Sent off as second choice of the crowd of 34,606, Variety Baby covered the 7 furlongs in 1:21 3-5 and paid $7, $3.20, $2.80.

T.V. of Crystal, ridden by Chris McCarron, paid $3.20 and $2.80. Forewarning, ridden by Laffit Pincay Jr., was another 4 1/2 lengths back in the field of 8 and paid $4.40 to show.

Variety Baby, trained by Bruce Headley, earned $40,050 for owner and breeder, Kjell H. Qvale.

The first 3 horses carried 117 pounds each.