ARCADIA, Calif. – Cavalieri won her stakes debut by a convincing 1 1/2 lengths in Sunday’s Grade 3 La Canada Stakes at Santa Anita to join the list of California’s leading older fillies and mares. Ridden by Juan Hernandez, Cavalieri ($4) was always near the front and fought off a threat from 8-5 Alpha Bella in the final furlong to remain unbeaten after three starts. Cavalieri tracked pacesetter Chatalas to early stretch before taking a narrow lead. Hernandez said Cavalieri needed competition to sustain her advantage. “I had a nice break and I was in a good spot,” Hernandez said. “Turning for home, I thought she was waiting for company. When the other filly came to her, she was a warrior and she came back on.” :: Playing Santa Anita? Get the most trusted data and information in horse racing! DRF Past Performances, Picks, and Clocker Reports available now. Alpha Bella, who stumbled slightly at the start, closed from fifth in a field of six to reach a prominent position in early stretch. Jockey Flavien Prat acknowledged Alpha Bella’s troubled start, but said it did not affect the rest of the race. “I had a good trip and I think I had every chance to go by them,” Prat said. Alpha Bella finished 4 3/4 lengths clear of 19-1 Big Hug, who was followed by Chatalas, Che Evasora, and Musical Mischief. Cavalieri ran 1 1/16 miles in 1:44.15. Owned by Speedway Stables and trained by Bob Baffert, Cavalieri won her debut in a maiden race at a mile at Del Mar on Aug. 29, and her first start against winners in an allowance race at a mile at Santa Anita on Oct. 12. By Nyquist, Cavalieri was withdrawn from the Grade 1 La Brea Stakes at seven furlongs for 3-year-old fillies on Dec. 26 because of an elevated temperature. In Sunday’s $100,500 La Canada Stakes, Cavalieri delivered a performance that leaves her as a candidate for the Grade 1 Beholder Mile, a $300,000 race for fillies and mares on March 8. “This is a big step up for her,” Baffert said. “I think she’ll improve off of this.” :: Want to learn more about handicapping and wagering? Check out DRF's Handicapping 101 and Wagering 101 pages.