Medoro, Lamporghini get distance test in Providencia

ARCADIA, Calif. – Medoro always is first to the wire, Lamporghini always is first to the quarter pole. But both enter uncharted territory Saturday at Santa Anita, where they stretch to 1 1/8 miles on turf in the Grade 3 Providencia Stakes for 3-year-old fillies.

Medoro, 3 for 3 including a pair of listed stakes, is expected to start favored over likely pacesetter Lamporghini. Although the Providencia is the first try beyond a mile for both fillies, Medoro’s trainer has not lost any sleep over the additional furlong.

“I’m not overly concerned about it,” Peter Eurton said. “Obviously, I love the mile. But she’s not a run-off, and it’s not likely she’s going to pull. She’s pretty easy to handle.”

Antonio Fresu rode Medoro in all three starts and is back aboard Saturday. A filly by Honor Code owned by the C R K Stable of Lee and Susan Searing, Medoro won her debut at five furlongs on turf at Del Mar, then stretched out and scored back to back turf-mile stakes wins at Santa Anita.

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The most recent start by Medoro was her most decisive. She settled in fourth position in the China Doll Stakes, angled outside and ran away. “She’s done that three times now, she’s just getting used to [racing],” Eurton said. “It was an amazing turn of foot she had that day.”

The challenge Saturday is to deliver a similar kick at a longer distance against better company. The field for the Providencia also includes dirt-to-turf Shiloh’s Mistress, last-out turf maiden winner Circle of Trust, and Arizona Oaks one-two finishers Sakura Blossom and Pink Whitney. Brand New Dream and English Danger also are entered in the eight-runner field.

Medoro would be the first undefeated winner of the Providencia since 2017 when Sircat Sally wired the field for her fifth straight win. In order for Medoro to make it four in a row, she must catch front-runner Lamporghini. Doug O’Neill trains the filly for owner-breeder Ed Delaney.

After finishing fifth of seven in her career debut in a dirt sprint, Lamporghini improved switching to turf and stretching to a mile. Five starts in turf miles under rider Edwin Maldonado produced two wins and three seconds. In all five, Lamporghini was on the lead at the quarter pole.

The longer distance Saturday is a challenge for Lamporghini. But if she shakes loose, which is entirely possible, she could steal the race. During the winter meet, three of six rails-down turf races at the Providencia distance were won by the pacesetter. The rails are down Saturday.

Shiloh’s Mistress enters her first turf race with gradually improving figures. Although most progeny of Vino Rosso prefer dirt, Shiloh’s Mistress has turf influence in her female family. Circle of Trust and English Dancer are the only Providencia starters proven at the distance. Both won maiden turf races at 1 1/8 miles.

The Providencia is race 8 on a 10-race card Saturday that includes the Grade 3 Californian as race 7. The purse for both Saturday stakes is $100,000.

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