Pure Xena impresses in debut win

DEL MAR, Calif. – Pure Xena looked like a major player for the Grade 1 Del Mar Debutante the final weekend of the meet the way she dominated a maiden race for 2-year-old fillies Saturday, winning by 11 1/4 lengths in her debut.

Pure Xena’s name was inspired by her sire, Warrior’s Reward. Owner Samantha Siegel, on the advice of trainer Brian Koriner, purchased her at auction in Ocala, Fla., in April for $370,000.

“Xena, Princess Warrior,” Siegel said of the name. “Brian just loved her. I had decided at the beginning of the year I needed a couple fillies to fill out the list, but I wasn’t planning on buying anything at that sale because it took place in the middle of all the crap at Santa Anita. But Brian said he loved her.

“Good ones like her are hard to buy. They get too expensive. But Brian’s got a good eye. Good taste is expensive, unfortunately.”