Cairo Memories looks sharp in winning Surfer Girl Stakes

ARCADIA, Calif. - Cairo Memories surprised Hall of Fame jockey Kent Desormeaux in the right sort of way midway through Sunday’s $203,000 Surfer Girl Stakes at a mile on turf for 2-year-old fillies at Santa Anita.

Cairo Memories was running so well in a stalking position that Desormeaux felt the half-mile split time of 45.72 seconds was much slower.

“It felt like 50 to me,” Desormeaux said. “That’s telling of her talent.”

In the last half of the one-mile race, Cairo Memories was even smoother, taking the lead in early stretch before pulling away by 2 1/4 lengths for her second win in as many starts.

After the Surfer Girl Stakes, Desormeaux, for one, said Cairo Memories deserves a chance in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf at Del Mar on Nov. 5, which will draw an international field.

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“I think she fits anywhere with her sort,” Desormeaux said.

Cairo Memories ($10) was timed in 1:34.27, earned a career-best Beyer Speed Figure of 70, and easily beating 3-2 favorite Helens Well, who was second in the Del Mar Juvenile Fillies Turf on Sept. 5. Earlier on that Sept. 5 program, Cairo Memories won her debut in a maiden special weight race at a mile on turf for owners David Bernsen and Schroeder Farm and trainer Bob Hess Jr.

In the Surfer Girl, Helens Well was at the back of the field of 11 and closed steadily around the turn to be third in the stretch.

“I think I got outrun, to be honest,” jockey Flavien Prat said. “I thought I had a good trip. Give credit to the winner.”

Helens Well finished a neck in front of 12-1 Hemmerle, who is winless in two starts after finishing fourth behind Helens Well in a maiden race at Del Mar on Aug. 15.

Sterling Crest finished fourth, followed by Miss Bellatrix, Brandon’smylawyer, Saturday Nite Girl, Dolly May, Sax, Liam’s Dove, and It’s Simple.

Liam’s Dove won the Del Mar Juvenile Fillies Turf at 34-1, but faded from contention in the Surfer Girl Stakes after chasing It’s Simple through an opening quarter-mile in 22.14 seconds.

Cairo Memories, by Cairo Prince, was purchased for $50,000 as a yearling. She has earned $162,000 in her two wins.