Splendora affirms Baffert's grip on older female division with Tranquility Lake Stakes win
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DEL MAR, Calif. - Splendora’s win in Monday’s $100,500 Tranquility Lake Stakes at Del Mar was the latest confirmation of the depth of Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert’s older filly and mare division.
On Aug. 2, the Baffert-trained fillies Seismic Beauty and Richi finished first and third in the Grade 1 Clement Hirsch Stakes, the leading race of the Del Mar summer meeting for older fillies and mares. Cavalieri, the winner of the Grade 1 Beholder Mile at Santa Anita in March in her last start, has been working steadily in recent weeks for a scheduled comeback in the Grade 2 Zenyatta Stakes at Santa Anita on Sept. 28.
“The fillies get down here and they do well,” Baffert said in the winner’s circle on Monday. “We keep them in outdoor pens and they blossom.”
Splendora, second to Richi in the Grade 2 Santa Maria Stakes at Santa Anita on April 19, and second to Seismic Beauty in the Grade 2 Santa Magarita Stakes at Santa Anita on May 25, won her first stakes in the Tranquility Lake at a mile. Sent off favored, Splendora ($3.60) was timed in 1:34.55 and earned a Beyer Speed Figure of 100, a career best.
The race was restricted to fillies and mares that had not won a stakes worth $50,000 or more, other than statebred races, at a mile or more since Feb. 1. Splendora, owned by Michael Talla, won an allowance race at six furlongs by a convincing 3 1/2 lengths at Del Mar on July 24 in her first start since the Santa Margarita.
In the Tranquility Lake Stakes, Splendora started from the inside post in a field of six and was immediately sent to the front by jockey Juan Hernandez. Splendora led by a length over One Magic Philly through early fractions of 22.38 seconds for the opening quarter-mile and 46.10 for a half-mile. Splendora then repelled a brief challenge from One Magic Philly on the turn and pulled clear to win by 5 1/2 lengths.
“She won earlier in the meet and I think she got confidence and got brave,” Hernandez said.
One Magic Philly, the 5-2 second choice, held second in her ninth start and first at a mile.
“That’s a nice filly that ran second,” Baffert said.
Nothing Like You, the Baffert-trained winner of the Grade 2 Santa Anita Oaks in April 2024, finished third at 20-1 in her first start since a fifth-place finish in the Hirsch. Sun of Hill finished fourth, followed by Sugar Fish and Ooty.
Sakura Blossom and Tahini were scratched on Monday morning.
Splendora, a 4-year-old by Audible, has won 4 of 9 starts and earned $340,800.
Trainer Phil D’Amato said he may consider more two-turn races for One Magic Philly, who won the Grade 3 Chillingworth Stakes at 6 1/2 furlongs for fillies and mares at Santa Anita last October.
“She did all the heavy lifting against the favorite,” he said. “She got a little tired. We have some more options with her.”
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