Liberation prevails with first mile test in Soviet Problem Stakes

CYPRESS, Calif. - The 2-year-old filly Liberation passed her first test at the new distance of a mile with a half-length win in Sunday’s $100,000 Soviet Problem Stakes for California-breds at Los Alamitos.

The outcome was uncertain until the final sixteenth.

Ridden by Juan Hernandez, Liberation ($2.60) led throughout, dueling with 9-2 Eighties for the first five furlongs through a solid pace of 22.66 seconds for the opening quarter-mile and 45.79 for a half-mile.

“She broke really quick and I got pressure from the outside post,” Hernandez said of the early challenge from Eighties. “That’s why we were going quick.”

Eighties faded from contention on the turn, leading 4-1 Cecilia Street as a threat to Liberation.

With a quarter-mile remaining, Liberation led by a head over Cecilia Street, who put her nose in front briefly in the stretch, jockey Diego Herrera said. Racing on the inside of the two, Liberation regained command and won by a half-length.

Hernandez said Liberation needed competition.

“She kind of lost concentration,” he said. “She slowed down a bit. I think she was waiting for company.

“I started working on her. She came back and won the race.”

Liberation was timed in 1:38.68 and earned a Beyer Speed Figure of 54.

Cecilia Street, the winner of a maiden race at a mile on turf at Del Mar on Nov. 14, finished seven lengths clear of 41-1 Tiger Lady. Eighties and Danzing Daisy completed the order of finish in the small field. Cammy’s Girl, a maiden, was withdrawn earlier on Sunday.

Cecilia Street raced at a mile on dirt for the first time in the Soviet Problem.

“She showed a lot,” Herrera said. “She stepped up big.

“I think Liberation is one of the top Cal-bred fillies. I like my filly. I think she has a lot of upside.”

Liberation, by Omaha Beach, races for the partnership of Hall Racing, West Point Thoroughbreds, Edwin Barker and Jeffrey Levinson. Trained by John Sadler, Liberation won for the third time in her sixth start on Sunday. She has earned $177,600.

Liberation was third in two sprint stakes at Del Mar during the summer and fall. She finished fourth in her stakes debut in the CTBA Stakes on Aug. 3 and was promoted to third after race winner My Love Caroline was disqualified and placed fourth for causing interference.

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