Spanish Queen wins first stakes in Honeymoon

ARCADIA, Calif. – In 60 days, Spanish Queen has gone from a maiden race winner in her debut to a graded stakes winner in the 3-year-old filly turf division in Southern California.

The ascension seems far from over.

On Sunday, Spanish Queen won her first stakes in the $201,000 Honeymoon Stakes for fillies at 1 1/8 miles on turf, her third start. The win left trainer Richard Baltas plotting options for further stakes in the coming weeks and months, beginning with a possible run in the $400,000 American Oaks on May 30.

Spanish Queen ($8) was timed in 1:47.24 and benefited from a patient ride from jockey Brice Blanc to win the Grade 2 race. Spanish Queen raced on the rail behind the leaders for the first six furlongs, rallied between runners on the turn, and won by 1 1/4 lengths over the 48-1 Sharla Rae, a three-time stakes winner.

Spirit of Xian, who won the Grade 3 Providencia Stakes at 1 1/8 miles on turf April 4, finished third. Spanish Queen was second in the Providencia in her stakes debut.

The style of the win, combined with Blanc’s confident ride, left Baltas delighted.

“You made a helluva move splitting horses,” Baltas told Blanc in the winner’s circle. “She has a great turn of foot.”

Blanc admitted he had a few anxious moments before racing room developed.

“I was hoping something was going to open up,” Blanc said.

Spirit of Xian set an honest pace of 23.07 seconds for the opening quarter-mile and 46.81 for the first half-mile. She faded in the final furlong and finished 2 3/4 lengths behind Sharla Rae.

Prize Exhibit finished fourth, followed by Lutine Belle, Entrechat (the 2-1 favorite), Singing Kitty, Screaming Skylar, and Star Via Strada.

Spanish Queen, by Tribal Rule, races for breeders Jack Nakkashain, Harry Bederian, and Harout Kamberian. She won her debut against California-breds in a one-mile race March 5, which led to the start in the Providencia. Spanish Queen has earned $183,600.

Blanc lists Spanish Queen as one of his favorite mounts.

“She’s just getting more and more professional,” he said. “She puts herself in a good spot.”