Sassy Sienna possible for Martha Washington, Honeybee

HOT SPRINGS, Ark. – Sassy Sienna turned in an impressive performance on the Smarty Jones card Monday, when the 3-year-old filly drew off by 9 1/2 lengths in an optional $62,500 claiming race at a mile. The race came one start after Sassy Sienna finished fifth in the $100,000 Trapeze at Remington.

Last year, Sassy Sienna ran fourth in the Grade 1 Alcibiades at Keeneland and finished third in the $100,000 P.G. Johnson on turf at Saratoga. She earned a career-higher Beyer Speed Figure of 77 on Monday.

“She ran really well,” trainer Brad Cox said Wednesday. “We were pleased with it, and she’s come out of it good. I expected her to run really well in Oklahoma, and she ran a very even, flat race over there. She came out of it in good shape and obviously looked like she was definitely ready to run. That race Monday was what I expected in Oklahoma.”

Cox said Sassy Sienna would be considered for the Martha Washington or Honeybee, both route stakes for 3-year-old fillies at Oaklawn.

“We’ll probably point for one of the two, depending on how she’s doing,” said Cox. “She likes a distance. She likes two turns. I think she’ll run on dirt or turf, but right now, we’ll keep her on dirt.”

Gary Stevens rode Sassy Sienna on Monday for owner Zayat Stable.

Another promising 3-year-old filly winner last weekend at Oaklawn was Mia d’Oro, who won a maiden special weight at a mile by two lengths on Sunday, earning a career-high Beyer Figure of 77.

“She’s a nice-pedigreed filly,” said Steve Asmussen, who trains the daughter of Medaglia d’Oro for Breeze Easy LLC.

Mia d’Oro is a half-sister to Weemissfrankie. Asmussen said plans are to be determined for Mia d’Oro’s next start.

◗ Mia Mischief, trained by Asmussen, and Amy’s Challenge will launch their 3-year-old seasons Saturday in the $125,000 Dixie Belle at Oaklawn. The six-furlong race was drawn Wednesday.

◗ Torrent makes her first start since running third in the Grade 2 Raven Run in October at Keeneland in the ninth race Friday at Oaklawn.