Shh She's Ours continues dirt streak in Desert Stormer

ARCADIA, Calif. - Shh She’s Ours has made bold statements in main track sprints this year.

Since being switched from turf to dirt in March, Shh She’s Ours is unbeaten. She won her fourth consecutive race in Sunday’s $79,300 Desert Stormer Stakes for female sprinters at Santa Anita.

Shh She’s Ours ($29.60) was the longest shot in a field of five. Ridden by Victor Espinoza, Shh She’s Ours led throughout the six-furlong race on a day in which temperatures reached the mid-90s. Shh She’s Ours held off a threat from 1-2 favorite Sensitively to win by 1 1/4 lengths in a quick 1:07.75.

“She’s got so much heart from the quarter-pole to the wire,” trainer Jim Cassidy said. “It really impresses me.”

Shh She’s Ours led through fractions of 21.49 seconds for the opening quarter-mile and 43.89 seconds for a half-mile. Sensitively, racing outside of Shh She’s Ours, seemed well placed to take the lead in the stretch, but could not catch the leader. Cassidy said that Shh She’s Ours can be a difficult filly to pass.

“I was shocked she was that kind of price,” he said. “I know the outside filly is a good filly. You can’t take off of her and expect to win.”

Sensitively finished 4 1/4 lengths in front of Juno, a Brazilian import trained by Richard Mandella. The Desert Stormer Stakes was Juno’s first start in the United States after winning her first five starts in Brazil, including two Group 1 races.

Luminance finished fourth, followed by Avenge in the small field.

Shh She’s Ours, a 4-year-old filly by Tiz Wonderful, races for Deron Pearson. Shh She’s Ours was purchased for $145,000 at the Barretts Paddock Sale at Del Mar in July 2014. At that time, she had won her debut in a maiden race at Los Alamitos.

Shh She’s Ours did not start again in 2014. She was winless in three starts in 2015 and lost her first start this year, finishing third in a $40,000 claiming race on the hillside turf course in February, before she was switched to the main track.

Cassidy said that Shh She’s Ours has a breathing problem that limits her ability to run longer distances. Shh She’s Ours has won 5 of 9 starts and has earned $176,790.

“She’s starting to figure it all out,” Cassidy said.