Graded stakes next for She's Funomenal

Unbeaten after two starts, She's Funomenal is ready for a graded stakes after winning her stakes debut in Sunday's Ifyoucouldseemenow Stakes at Hollywood Park.

Dan Ward, assistant to trainer Jerry Hollendorfer, said the 2-year-old filly will be pointed to the $150,000 Santa Ynez Stakes at Santa Anita on Jan. 16. She races for Hollendorfer, STD Racing Stable, and Summit Racing. The Grade 2 Santa Ynez is run over seven furlongs for 3-year-old fillies, conditions that should ideally suit She's Funomenal.

In Sunday's race over 6 1/2 furlongs, She's Funomenal stalked pacesetter Excellent News to the final sixteenth and was roused to take the lead, winning by three-quarters of a length in 1:15.96.

"She came from off the pace and until they do it, you don't know if she can do it," Ward said. "I like the way she finished, and the way she galloped out was very promising."

In her debut in November, She's Funomenal led throughout a maiden race over 6 1/2 furlongs.

"If you want to have a horse that's going to be a good horse, you can't go full speed the whole way," Ward said. "You've got to save something for the finish."