Sea Mona shows guts and talent

ARCADIA, Calif. – The 2-year-old filly Sea Mona won her debut against maidens Thursday, overcoming a troubled start and displaying a promising rally through the stretch.

Trainer Adam Kitchingman said Sea Mona is likely to make her next start in the $125,000 Landaluce Stakes for 2-year-old fillies over 5 1/2 furlongs here June 22.

Ridden by Joe Talamo, Sea Mona ($11.20) bumped with a rival at the start. She closed from third in a field of seven with a four-wide rally and drew away to win by 2 3/4 lengths over 9-10 favorite Desert Steel. Sea Mona ran 4 1/2 furlongs in 53.22 seconds.

“She missed the break a bit, got dirt in her face, and galloped out strong,” Kitchingman said. “I’ve always liked the filly.”

Kitchingman trains Sea Mona for Paul Boghossian’s Triple B Farm. The filly, by Tiz Wonderful, was bought for $82,000 at the Keeneland September yearling sale. Boghossian attended Thursday’s race.