Desormeaux steers Decked Out to victory in Providencia Stakes

ARCADIA, Calif.- Decked Out had an adventuresome trip when fifth in the $81,075 China Doll Stakes at Santa Anita on March 12, racing wide early and then on the inside before losing by a length.

Decked Out had a less eventful journey in Saturday’s $151,380 Providencia Stakes for 3-year-old fillies at 1 1/8 miles on turf. Jockey Kent Desormeaux kept Decked Out outside of rivals and guided the filly to the front with a wide rally in the final furlong to win the Grade 3 race by a convincing 2 3/4 lengths over 19-1 Jeremy’s Legacy.

Nodiac, the 7-2 second choice, finished third. Decked Out ($8.60) was timed in 1:52.72 on a “good” turf course. Desormeaux said he needed to position Decked Out behind rivals in the China Doll to keep her from running out, but did not feel the need to use the same strategy in the Providencia.

“She’s really matured,” Desormeaux said. “She’s letting me drive. Before, she was running [all] out. Before I wouldn’t have thought she could go six furlongs. Now, I think she can go a mile and a quarter.”

Sheeza Milky Way finished fourth, followed by Lady Valeur, Mirage, How Unusual, Kiss N Scat, and Do the Dance.

Decked Out, by Street Boss, races for Gene Voss and Big Chief Racing and is trained by Desormeaux’s brother, Keith Desormeaux. Decked Out has won 2 of 10 starts and earned $222,514.

The Providencia was Decked Out’s eighth stakes appearance. She was second in the Astoria Stakes at Belmont Park last June in her second start.