Cholula Lips pulls away in stretch of Soviet Problem Stakes

CYPRESS, Calif. – Cholula Lips had a new rider in Tyler Baze for Saturday’s $101,053 Soviet Problem Stakes for California-bred 2-year-old fillies at Los Alamitos.

Baze had never ridden Cholula Lips in a race or a workout. Rafael Berajano was aboard for the filly’s first six starts.

The Cholula Lips-Baze team performed like a well-rehearsed duo. Trained by Mike Harrington, Cholula Lips closed from a stalking position to win the first stakes of her career in the Soviet Problem, her sixth appearance in a stakes.

“Mike told me to put her on the lead, and I did the next best thing,” Baze said.

When Cholula Lips took the lead from 187-1 pacesetter Phoenix Tears, Baze was surprised at his mount’s energy.

“She threw her ears up and I thought, I’ve got a ton of horse,” he said.

Cholula Lips ($18.40) led by 1 1/2 lengths in early stretch and won by three lengths over 5-1 Smiling Shirlee. Cholula Lips ran a mile in 1:37.85 and earned a Beyer Speed Figure of 73.

Warrior’s Moon, second in early stretch, finished third, followed by 2-5 favorite Been Studying Her, Almost a Factor, Nocherylikemychery, Jodie Faster, California Kook, and Phoenix Tears.

Been Studying Her won two stakes for statebreds earlier this year – the Generous Portion Stakes at Del Mar and the Golden State Juvenile Fillies at Santa Anita on Nov. 1. She was eighth early in the field of nine and finished fourth, beaten 10 lengths.

Warren’s Showtime, winner of the Surfer Girl Stakes on turf against open company in October, was scratched in favor of a start in the $200,000 California Cup Oaks at a mile on turf for 3-year-old statebred fillies on Jan. 18 at Santa Anita.

Harrington said Cholula Lips may start in the California Cup Oaks.

Cholula Lips, by Empire Way, has won 2 of 7 starts and earned $159,250 for Terry Lovingier and Amanda Navarro. Lovingier bred Cholula Lips, who was second in two stakes earlier this year – the Debutante Stakes against open company at six furlongs at Churchill Downs in June and the Generous Portion Stakes against statebred fillies on Aug. 28 at Del Mar.