Chismosa starts year off on a high note in Las Flores

ARCADIA, Calif. — Chismosa did everything but win in an eight-race season in 2023 that included a second by a neck in the Grade 2 Great Lady M Stakes at Los Alamitos in July, but also a last-place finish in the Grade 3 Charles Town Oaks in West Virginia in August.

With that season behind her, Chismosa had a much brighter start to 2024 in Tuesday’s Grade 3 Las Flores Stakes at Santa Anita.

Chismosa ($18.60) stalked pacesetter and 6-5 favorite Sweet Azteca for the first half-mile of the six-furlong race for fillies and mares. When Sweet Azteca drifted toward the outside despite already racing well off the race, jockey Kyle Frey moved Chismosa to the inside of Sweet Azteca in early stretch.

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Chismosa took the lead from Sweet Azteca and led by a head over 2-1 Hot Peppers with a furlong remaining. Chismosa remained in front, beating that rival by 1 1/4 lengths for her first graded stakes win in the $100,000 Las Flores.

Chismosa was timed in 1:10.22 and earned a Beyer Speed Figure of 80.

“I knew no one was on my inside,” Frey said, explaining his tactics in early stretch. “I dropped down to the inside. I didn’t want to waste all that ground.”

Hot Peppers, winner of the Grade 3 Victory Ride Stakes at Belmont Park in July 2022, had her California debut in the Las Flores. Now trained by Phil D’Amato, Hot Peppers finished 1 1/4 lengths clear of Sweet Azteca, who had her first start on Tuesday since a win in a maiden race in her debut at Churchill Downs last May.

Frankie Dettori rode Sweet Azteca for the first time in the Las Flores.

“She went for a maiden to graded stakes,” Dettori said. “She was lugging out a bit in the stretch. It’s not a bad race. She needs the experience.”

Lady T, who won the Las Flores Stakes on New Year’s Eve in 2022, finished fourth, followed by Violent Runner in the small field.

Chismosa won her third stakes in the Las Flores for owner and breeder Jaime Renella and trainer Rafael DeLeon. As a 2-year-old in 2022, Chismosa won consecutive sprint stakes for California-bred fillies at Del Mar.

By Clubhouse Ride, Chismosa has won 4 of 12 starts and earned $368,250. The win on Tuesday left Renella eager to see what Chismosa can accomplished, and delighted with Frey’s tactics.

“What a move Kyle made coming into the stretch,” Renella said.

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