Maxim Rate won't be denied in Senorita Stakes

ARCADIA, Calif. – Maxim Rate repelled a stretch-long challenge from Lady Prancealot to win Saturday’s Grade 3 Senorita Stakes at Santa Anita for her first stakes win in her third start.

Ridden by Kent Desormeaux, Maxim Rate ($4.40) was always well placed in the $100,351 Senorita, run at a mile on turf for 3-year-old fillies. Desormeaux had Maxim Rate in second behind pacesetter Ladymidtown before taking the lead in early stretch.

Lady Prancealot (5-2) rallied four wide and may have led for a few strides before Maxim Rate regained command, ultimately prevailing by a half-length.

“The other filly came to her really strong,” Desormeaux said. “I was impressed with her turn of foot. The filly had all the momentum.”

Maxim Rate was timed in 1:36.31 and earned a Beyer Speed Figure of 72.

Ladymidtown, an 11-1 outsider, finished third, followed by Hostess, All Star Cast, and Miss Flawless.

Maxim Rate, by Exchange Rate, is owned by Slam Dunk Racing and trained by Simon Callaghan. Maxim Rate won her debut in a maiden special weight race at 28-1 on Feb. 16 and was second by a nose to stablemate Hostess in the Grade 3 Providencia Stakes at 1 1/8 miles on turf on April 6.

Maxim Rate, purchased for $235,000 as a yearling, has earned $123,000.

Earlier on the program, Miss My Rose was promoted from second to first in the $85,300 Angels Flight Stakes after Sneaking Out was disqualified for a bumping incident with a furlong remaining.

The stewards ruled in a unanimous decision that Sneaking Out forced Miss My Rose off her running path.

Sneaking Out (9-5) finished three-quarters of a length in front of Miss My Rose, the 9-5 third choice in a field of five. Hard Not to Love, the 3-2 favorite, finished third after an eventful trip. She broke slowly and pulled her way to the lead on the backstretch before fading from contention in the stretch, finishing 7 1/2 lengths behind Sneaking Out.

Sneaking Out was timed in 1:24.30 and earned a career-best Beyer of 86. Miss My Rose earned a career-best Beyer of 85.

Miss My Rose, a filly by Magician, is unbeaten in two starts, having won a maiden special weight race on March 30. Miss My Rose is the first stakes winner for Magician, who began his stallion career in Kentucky and now stands at stud in France.

Owned by Alex Venneri Racing and Anthony Fanticola, Miss My Rose is trained by Phil D’Amato. Miss My Rose was bred by Venneri.