Danuska's My Girl speeds away to upset Las Flores Stakes

ARCADIA, Calif. – Danuska’s My Girl is changing.

Early in her career, Danuska’s My Girl often reached the front but faded when challenged. Lately, no one can get by the 5-year-old mare.

Danuska’s My Girl won her stakes debut in Sunday’s Grade 3 Las Flores Stakes at Santa Anita for her third consecutive victory. Ridden by Geovanni Franco, Danuska’s My Girl ($43.20) led throughout the six-furlong race for fillies and mares.

“She’s tough on the lead,” said Dan Ward, assistant to trainer Jerry Hollendorfer. “When she works, she won’t let anyone by her.”

Franco had Danuska’s My Girl in front a few strides after the start of the $101,755 Las Flores. Danuska’s My Girl set fractions of 21.63 seconds for the opening quarter-mile and 44.83 for a half-mile, leading by a length over Dream Tree, the even-money favorite. Dream Tree faded in the stretch, and none of the other eight runners posed a major threat.

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Danuska’s My Girl won by 1 3/4 lengths over 4-1 Emboldened, who finished a neck in front of 4-1 Show It N Moe It.

Danuska’s My Girl ran six furlongs in 1:10.23 and earned a career-best Beyer Speed Figure of 95.

Lady Suebee finished fourth, followed by Dream Tree, Spectator, Phantom Proton, Amuse, Moon Kitty, and True Royalty.

Danuska’s My Girl, owned by Bad Boy Racing, is unbeaten in three starts with Franco aboard, a streak that includes an allowance race with a $40,000 claiming option at six furlongs at Del Mar in November and an allowance race with a $62,500 claiming option at a mile here in January.

“She’s won going long, and she’s done well for this ride,” Ward said.

Danuska’s My Girl, by Shackleford, has won 4 of 13 starts and earned $198,810.