Si Que Es Buena mighty good in La Prevoyante win

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. – Patience is a virtue, especially in 1 1/2-mile races on turf. If you don’t believe it, just ask trainer Graham Motion, who singled out Chris Landeros’s patient handling of Si Que Es Buena for her one-length victory over Santa Monica in Saturday’s Grade 3, $200,000 La Prevoyante at Gulfstream Park.

“It was such a patient ride, that’s what won the race for us,” said Motion, who trains Si Que Es Buena for owner Takaya Shimakawa. “I give [Landeros] all the credit.”

Si Que Es Buena began her career in Peru before being transferred to Motion’s barn last season. The La Prevoyante was her third start in the U.S. and first since she rallied to win the Via Borghese by a neck under Landeros here on Dec. 29.

Landeros reserved Si Que Es Buena near the rear of the field for the opening mile of the La Prevoyante. The 6-year-old launched her bid midway down the backstretch the second time, came four wide to continue her rally turning for home, ran down Santa Monica in late stretch and gradually edged clear. The latter got first run over Si Que Es Buena, rallying three wide to gain command in early stretch, but could not withstand the winner. Semper Sententiae finished another 1 1/2 lengths back in third.

Si Que Es Buena completed the distance over a yielding course in 2:34.04 and paid $17.

Motion said he wasn’t too concerned when the rain came and softened the course prior to the race.

“She handled softish ground at Aqueduct,” said Motion, referring to Si Que Es Buena’s fourth-place finish in the Grade 1 Long Island in her U.S. bow. “And [Landeros] said he thought she was a little better at this trip also.”

Motion said he will be in no hurry to run Si Que Es Buena back.

“I was a little worried about running her today, to be honest, and now she’s had two tough trips in a row,” said Motion.