Danuska's My Girl holds on in Desert Stormer Stakes

ARCADIA, Calif. – Danuska’s My Girl, the winner of a $62,500 claimer for maidens at Del Mar last July, became a multiple graded stakes winner with a half-length victory against only two rivals in the Grade 3 Desert Stormer Stakes for fillies and mares at Santa Anita on Sunday.

“She’s been improving a lot,” said winning rider Geovanni Franco. “She’s got a big heart. It’s a matter of getting her out of the gate and letting her do her job. It’s all about her.”

Danuska’s My Girl ($3.80) led throughout the $92,000 Desert Stormer Stakes going six furlongs. She held a narrow lead over 3-1 Yuvetsi after an opening quarter-mile in 21.73 seconds and led by a length over 7-5 Show It N Moe It through a half-mile in 45.10.

Show It N Moe It, the winner of the Spring Fever Stakes for California-bred fillies and mares in February, closed steadily through the stretch to threaten Danuksa’s My Girl in the final strides.

Danuska’s My Girl was timed in 1:10.12 and earned a Beyer Speed Figure of 89.

Yuvetsi was not persevered with in the final furlong by jockey Drayden Van Dyke when obviously beaten, and finished 20 1/2 lengths behind Danuska’s My Girl.

There were five entrants. Selcourt, the 7-5 favorite on the morning-line, and Smiling Tigress were scratched on Sunday morning. Trainer John Sadler said in a text message that Selcourt was “off behind.”

Danuska’s My Girl, trained by Jerry Hollendorfer for Bad Boy Racing LLC, has won 5 of 14 starts and $258,810. The Desert Stormer was her fourth consecutive win, a span that includes two optional claimers and the Grade 3 Las Flores Stakes at six furlongs on April 7.

A 5-year-old mare by Shackleford, Danuska’s My Girl will be considered for the Grade 2 Great Lady M. Stakes at 6 1/2 furlongs at Los Alamitos on July 6.

“She can run different distances, but we’ll keep her sprinting,” Hollendorfer said in the winner’s circle.