Fahan Mura leads all the way in Swingtime Stakes

ARCADIA, Calif. - The speedy Fahan Mura led throughout Sunday’s $76,870 Swingtime Stakes for fillies and mares on turf at Santa Anita to win her second restricted stakes in three starts.

Fahan Mura ($7.60) was timed in a quick 1:32.77 for a mile, after setting a fast pace of 22.13 seconds for the opening quarter-mile and 44.75 for a half-mile. Ridden by Edwin Maldonado, Fahan Mura broke from post 10 in a field of 11, but quickly angled to the rail on the first turn. She led by about three lengths on the first turn and maintained a clear lead on the backstretch.

The graded stakes winner Way to Versailles got within 1 1/2 lengths of Fahan Mura in early stretch, but could not offer a sustained threat. Fahan Mura held off a challenge from 8-1 Quebec to win by three-quarters of a length.

Fahan Mura earned a Beyer Speed Figure of 96.

Quebec finished a head in front of 7-2 Way to Versailles, who was followed by Tonahutu, The Tulip, Cordiality, Barleysugar, Achira, Impassed, Okinawa, and Melissa Jane.

Way to Versailles won the Grade 2 Royal North Stakes at six furlongs on turf at Woodbine in July. The Swingtime Stakes, restricted to fillies and mares who had not won a stakes worth $60,000 or more to the winner at a mile or over other than statebred races this year, was her first start in California.

Fahan Mura, a 4-year-old filly by English Channel, won the restricted Osunitas Stakes at Del Mar on July 20 and was third in the Grade 2 John Mabee Stakes there on Sept. 1. Fahan Mura races for David Clark and Bran Jam Stable and trainer Vladimir Cerin.

Fahan Mura has won 8 of 20 starts and earned $301,470.