New strategy helps Treasuring to Senorita victory

ARCADIA, Calif. – For the first time in her American career, Treasuring took the lead a quarter-mile into Saturday’s Grade 3 Senorita Stakes for 3-year-old fillies on turf at Santa Anita.

The strategy was the difference. For the second time in her career, Treasuring was a stakes winner.

Ridden for the first time by Brice Blanc, Treasuring ($11.80) repelled a persistent challenge from 6-1 Pursuing The Dream to win the $100,690 Senorita at a mile on turf by 1 1/2 lengths.

“Once I made the lead going into the turn, I felt her drop the bridle,” Blanc said.

Treasuring dueled for the lead between Pursuing The Dream and May Girl in the first furlong before May Girl took a stalking position in third and Treasuring moved in front of Pursuing The Dream. At that point, Blanc’s confidence soared.

“She was better than when I was in the middle,” Blanc said. “I thought it could backfire, but I wanted to do that rather than going head and head.”

Treasuring set early fractions of 23.04 seconds for the opening quarter-mile and 46.47 for a half-mile, leading narrowly. She was timed in 1:35.43, winning for the fourth time in her 12-race career and for the first time in the United States.

In seven starts in England and Ireland last year, Treasuring’s best result was a half-length win in the Group 3 Curragh Stakes at five furlongs on a yielding turf course last August. She led midway through that race and prevailed by a half-length.

“Some of her better races in Europe was when she was on the lead,” Blanc said.

Treasuring was sent to trainer Simon Callaghan last fall, and had mixed results in her first four starts in this country. She was second in the China Doll Stakes at a mile on turf on March 10, but a troubled sixth in the Grade 3 Providencia Stakes at 1 1/8 miles on turf on April 7.

“She might be more of a typical miler,” Blanc said. “It’s hard to tell. Maybe the key is to be forwardly placed.”

Owned by Qatar Racing, Treasuring has earned $151,127. Bred in Great Britain Treasuring is by the Teofilo stallion Havana Gold.