Eda takes Starlet as Baffert equals trainer record
CYPRESS, Calif. - Eda won her third consecutive stakes, and first start around two turns, in Saturday’s Grade 1 Starlet Stakes at Los Alamitos, giving trainer Bob Baffert a record-equaling eighth career win in one of the nation’s leading late-season races for 2-year-old fillies.
Sent off favored in a field of six, Eda ($4.20) was always near the front, faced challenges through the final half-mile, and held off a late threat from 7-2 Cairo Memories to win by a half-length.
Ridden by Juan Hernandez, Eda ran 1 1/16 miles in 1:44.51 and earned a Beyer Speed Figure of 78.
Eda raced with stablemate Benedict Canyon for the first six furlongs before that rival faded.
“You never know what they’ll do going long,” Baffert said. “She relaxed well. Juan said she just dug in. The horse came to her and she didn’t want to lose. It was pretty exciting.”
Cairo Memories finished a neck in front of 19-1 Tonito’s, who was followed by Desert Dawn, Benedict Canyon, and Grace Adler.
Cairo Memories, the winner of the Surfer Girl Stakes on turf at Santa Anita in October, raced on dirt for the first time in the $300,500 Starlet. Cairo Memories was ninth, beaten 2 3/4 lengths, in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf at Del Mar on Nov. 5.
“I think the bottom line is she did handle the dirt beautifully,” trainer Bob Hess said.
Tonito’s, second to Eda in the Dezi Arnaz Stakes at 6 1/2 furlongs at Del Mar on Nov. 13, had her third start in the Starlet, and first around two turns.
Baffert trains Benedict Canyon and Grace Adler. Benedict Canon was third to Eda in the minor Anoakia Stakes at six furlongs Santa Anita in October. Grace Adler, the winner of the Grade 1 Del Mar Debutante at seven furlongs in September, was never a factor in the Starlet and was beaten more than 40 lengths.
“I was disappointed in my other horses,” Baffert said. “I’m puzzled with Grace Adler. I don’t know what’s going on. She didn’t pick it up at all.”
Baffert has won the last five runnings of the Starlet. The last three wins have been on behalf of owners Charles and Susan Chu’s Baoma Corp. Susan Chu attended the Starlet.
Baffert won the race for the first time with Excellent Meeting in 1998 at Hollywood Park. The race has been run at Los Alamitos since 2014 following the 2013 closure of Hollywood Park.
D. Wayne Lukas has also won eight runnings of the Starlet, most recently in 2014.
Eda, by Munnings, was purchased for $550,000 at the Ocala Breeders’ Sale of 2-year-olds in-training in March. Eda has won 4 of 6 starts and earned $370,000.