Paris Secret holds off Pleasant Wave in Providencia Stakes

ARCADIA, Calif. – Most everyone expected Paris Secret to improve in her second U.S. start Saturday at Santa Anita, but the Grade 3 Providencia Stakes was not an easy spot against odds-on front-runner Ancient Peace.

Not problem for Paris Secret ($8.20) and jockey Kazushi Kimura in the 1 1/8-mile turf race for 3-year-old fillies. While Ancient Peace got keen chasing the pace, Paris Secret relaxed at the back under Kimura, moved into contention into the far turn, ran past the favorite at the top of the lane and held off longshot Pleasant Wave to win by three-quarters of a length.

Broadway Girls finished 4 1/4 lengths back in third; Ancient Peace tired to fourth, and Una Palabra finished fifth. Miss Lizzy scratched.

Phil D’Amato trains Paris Secret, whose owner is Michael Renzulli. A maiden winner in her only start last year in Ireland, Paris Secret finished fourth last month in her U.S. debut at one mile on turf. D’Amato said her Providencia improvement was mainly due to two factors.

:: Get Santa Anita Clocker Reports straight from the morning workouts at the track. Available every race day.

“I think definitely the outing, and the extra eighth of a mile,” D’Amato said. “This filly, she’s bred to run all day. She’s got this big, flowing stride, and a great ride by Kimura.”

The win by Paris Secret was D’Amato’s second in the Providencia. Going Global scored her first graded stakes victory in the 2021 Providencia. Renzulli, whose stable name is Strand Beach, said it was his first graded stakes win as an owner.

Paris Secret, an Irish-bred by Zoffany, finished in 1:47.50. She has won two of three starts, and though D’Amato did not rule out the Grade 3 Honeymoon at the same distance on June 10 at Santa Anita, he looks forward to running her at Del Mar.

“I really think she’s a filly that’s going to love Del Mar, a European-style turf course,” D’Amato said. The Grade 2 San Clemente at one mile is scheduled for July 22; the Grade 1 Del Mar Oaks at 1 1/8 miles is on Aug. 19.

The disappointment in the Providencia was Ancient Peace, whose two Santa Anita starts were front-running wins against turf maidens and an off-turf allowance on dirt. Saturday in the Providencia, she was uncomfortable chasing the pace, and surrendered. With the odds-on filly off the board, show payoffs ballooned. Paris Secret returned $6, Pleasant Wave returned $11.60 and Broadway Girls paid $7.

:: Want to learn more about handicapping and wagering? Check out DRF's Handicapping 101 and Wagering 101 pages.