Santa Anita: Tilde remains undefeated by taking California Cup Juvenile Fillies

Benoit & Associates

Tilde, ridden by Rafael Bejarano, wins her two-turn debut in the California Cup Juvenile Fillies.

ARCADIA, Calif.- Tilde is proving unbeatable in the California-bred 2-year-old filly division this year.

After sweeping the two sprint stakes for Cal-bred 2-year-old fillies at Del Mar during the summer, Tilde won her first start over 1 1/16 miles in Saturday’s $250,000 California Cup Juvenile Fillies at Santa Anita.

Ridden by Rafael Bejarano, Tilde ($6.20) closed from third in a field of 10 to win by a half-length over 13-1 Doinghardtimeagain. Sent off as a slight favorite, Tilde ran 1 1/16 miles in 1:45.56.

Tilde benefited from a speed duel between Doinghardtimeagain and Bert’s Altarcation, who set fractions of 22.48 and 46.56 seconds. Bert’s Altarcation faded from contention on the turn, but Doinhardtimeagain fought with Tilde to the finish. Cotton’s Point closed from ninth to finish third, but was 5 1/4 lengths behind the runner-up.

Bejarano thought the speed duel would benefit Tilde.

“I put her in the perfect spot,” he said. “When I got to the stretch, she was flying. She’s getting better, believe me.”

Tilde races for owner-trainer Mike Harrington, who bred the filly by Swiss Yodeler with his wife, Patricia.

Tilde has won 4 of 5 starts and $232,500. Her only loss was a third in the Cinderella Stakes at Betfair Hollywood Park in her stakes debut in June.

Harrington mentioned she would be considered for California-bred stakes later this year.