Inspiring wins Sorrento Stakes

DEL MAR, Calif. - Inspiring remained unbeaten after two starts following a frontrunning win in Saturday's $150,000 at Del Mar.

The 2-year-old filly gave jockey David Flores his fourth winner of the day. Inspiring was trainer Bob Baffert's fifth Sorrento winner and first since Chilukki in 1999.

Inspiring ($3.80) finished 6 1-2 furlongs in 1:18.29. She dueled with the previously unbeaten Souvenir Gift through early fractions of 21.79 and 44.93 seconds and stretched her lead from a length at the eighth pole to 2 1-2 lengths at the finish. On the backstretch, the two fillies were within a length.

Souvenir Gift held second, finishing 2 1-2 lengths in front of Hello Lucky, a 32-1 shot who stalked the pace throughout.

Inspiring has earned $115,800. She won her debut in a five-furlong maiden race at Hollywood Park by four lengths on July 5.

Souvenir Gift has won 3 of 4 starts. She won the Cinderella and Landaluce Stakes at Hollywood Park earlier this year.

Inspiring races for Bob and Beverly Lewis, who bought the Golden Missile filly for $450,000 at the 2003 Keeneland September Yearling sale.

The first three finishers are expected to return in the $250,000 Del Mar Debutante over seven furlongs on Aug. 28.