My Fiona fights back to win CTBA Stakes

DEL MAR, Calif. - When My Fiona and Lost Bus brushed early in the stretch of Friday’s $100,500 California Thoroughbred Breeders Association Stakes at Del Mar, My Fiona responded by taking revenge on her rival.

Lost Bus and My Fiona were trading leads at that point of the race, but My Fiona took control in the final sixteenth to win the sprint for 2-year-old California-bred fillies by a neck.

For winning rider Fernando Perez, the move was a case of doing very little. When My Fiona was crowded, he put his whip away.

“She gave me more,” Perez said. “She responded.”

The CTBA was the first stakes win for My Fiona in her third start.

My Fiona ($13) closed from sixth in a field of eight to edge Lost Bus, finishing 5 1/2 furlongs in 1:04.90. Lost Bus finished 8 3/4 lengths clear of 44-1 Take Back Spring, who was third. Really a Princess was fourth, followed by Singing Kitty, Inspired Illusion, Desert Thief and Robo Girl.

Trained by Walther Solis, My Fiona beat maidens in her debut at Santa Anita on May 18 and was third against open company in the Landaluce Stakes over 5 1/2 furlongs there on June 22. Solis noticed the filly was calm in the paddock, making him optimistic that My Fiona would run well in the CTBA Stakes.

“I think with racing she is getting better,” he said.

My Fiona, by Ghostzapper, races for a partnership that includes breeder Terry Lovingier, Tom Beckerle and Amanda Navarro. My Fiona has earned $95,600.

Solis mentioned the $150,000 Generous Portion Stakes for California-bred fillies over six furlongs on Aug. 27 as a late summer goal.