Adare Manor continues to improve with age

ARCADIA, Calif. – After a narrow loss in her 2024 debut in early March, Adare Manor completed a perfect spring campaign with a second win in the Grade 2 Santa Margarita Stakes for fillies and mares at Santa Anita on Sunday.

The win builds toward an expected start in the Grade 1 Clement Hirsch Stakes at Del Mar on Aug. 3, and a chance to gain a fees-paid berth to the Breeders’ Cup Distaff at Del Mar on Nov. 2.

Last year, the Hirsch was part of a four-race winning streak that ended when Adare Manor finished seventh by three lengths in the BC Distaff at Santa Anita in November.

A 5-year-old, Adare Manor may be better, insists trainer Bob Baffert. Owned by Michael Lund Petersen, Adare Manor has won 9 of 17 starts and earned $1,856,600.

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“I knew she’d get better with age,” he said in the winner’s circle. “I’m glad he kept her in training for another year.”

Adare Manor was second by three-quarters of a length to Sweet Azteca in the Grade 1 Beholder Mile at Santa Anita on March 9 in her first start of the year. Adare Manor rebounded to win the Grade 1 Apple Blossom Handicap at 1 1/16 miles at Oaklawn Park from the front by an easy 5 1/2 lengths on April 13.

The Santa Margarita at 1 1/8 miles was a similar effort. Adare Manor took an early lead and was never bothered, setting a modest pace before pulling clear by 4 1/4 lengths.

“She was going pretty slow,” Baffert said. “I thought this was a good spot. There wasn’t another spot until Del Mar.”

Adare Manor became the first two-time winner of the Santa Margarita since Paseana in 1992 and 1994 and the first to win the race in consecutive years since Bayakoa in 1989 and 1990.

Baffert, 71, has won 18 Breeders’ Cup races, but despite having had 10 starters in the BC Distaff, has never won the race. Abel Tasman was second by a half-length to Forever Unbridled in the 2017 Distaff at Del Mar, the closest the stable has come to a win.

Adare Manor may provide another chance this fall on a track she adores.

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