Himika has no trouble with Anoakia Stakes
?q=100)
ARCADIA, Calif. - Reunited with jockey Juan Hernandez for the first time since early August, Himika won her second stakes without difficulty in Sunday’s $91,370 Anoakia Stakes for 2-year-old fillies at Santa Anita.
Himika ($3) closed from third of five to win by 4 1/4 lengths, giving Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert his eighth win in the minor stakes, and fourth victory in the last five runnings since 2020. The race was not run in 2022.
Himika won her first two starts with Hernandez aboard, a maiden race at Santa Anita in June and the Grade 3 Sorrento Stakes at Del Mar on Aug. 10 at 1-5. She was fourth in the Grade 1 Del Mar Debutante on Sept. 6 when ridden by Kazushi Kimura, and fifth in the Grade 2 Oak Leaf Stakes at 1 1/16 miles on Oct. 4 when ridden by Mike Smith.
In the Anoakia, Himika broke from post 4. She stalked 8-5 second choice Revera, who set an early pace of 22.55 seconds for the opening quarter-mile, and 45.65 for a half-mile before moving alongside on the turn.
“I broke good, but I let the speed inside go,” Hernandez said. “I was sitting comfortably. She was traveling well on the backstretch.”
Himika took the lead in early stretch and held a two-length advantage with a furlong remaining.
Himika ran six furlongs in 1:10.40 and was not urged late.
I took it easy on her,” Hernandez said.
Revera finished second, two lengths in front of 22-1 Stuffy Mist. Umbralle and Heavenly Princess completed the order of finish.
Himika, a Curlin filly purchased for $900,000 at the Ocala Breeders’ Sale of 2-year-olds in-training sale in April, has earned $202,822 for owners Charles and Susan Chu’s Baoma Corp.
Baffert said in the winner’s circle that Himika is likely to remain in one-turn races. A short-term option is the $100,000 Desi Arnaz Stakes for 2-year-old fillies at seven furlongs at Del Mar on Nov. 15.
:: Want to learn more about handicapping and wagering? Check out DRF's Handicapping 101 and Wagering 101 pages.