Sweet Azteca shows speed in six-furlong work for BC Filly and Mare Sprint
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ARCADIA, Calif. - It frequently takes a top-class runner to record the fastest six-furlong workout time on a weekend morning at Santa Anita.
On Saturday, Imagination, winner of the Grade 2 Santa Anita Sprint Championship on Sept. 28, held the distinction, working six furlongs in 1:11.60 for the Breeders’ Cup Sprint at Del Mar on Nov. 1.
On Sunday, the times were quicker, led by the 5-year-old mare Sweet Azteca, who zoomed through six furlongs in 1:10.80 in preparation for the BC Filly and Mare Sprint at Del Mar on Nov. 1.
Sweet Azteca was closely followed on the list of six-furlong times by BC Dirt Mile hopeful Nysos in 1:11.60, and BC Classic outsider Nevada Beach in 1:11.80.
Sweet Azteca, trained by Richard Baltas for owner and breeder Pamela Ziebarth, has won seven of nine starts in her career and is unbeaten in two appearances this year, both at 6 1/2 furlongs: the Grade 2 Great Lady M. Stakes at Los Alamitos on July 5 and the Grade 3 Rancho Bernardo Handicap at Del Mar on Aug. 24.
Baltas said a fast workout on Sunday will benefit Sweet Azteca.
“I wanted a little bit of a stiff work,” Baltas said. “I think it sets us up perfectly. When she’s at her best, she’s better than anyone.”
Sweet Azteca galloped out seven furlongs in 1:24, Baltas said.
Bob Baffert trains Nevada Beach and Nysos. Nevada Beach earned a fees-paid berth to the BC Classic with a win in the Grade 1 Goodwood Stakes at Santa Anita on Sept. 27.
Nysos has not raced since a win in the Grade 2 San Diego Handicap at 1 1/16 miles at Del Mar in July. Nysos missed an intended start in the Grade 1 Pacific Classic at Del Mar on Aug. 30 with a bruised foot, Baffert said at the time.
The Baffert-trained Citizen Bull, the champion 2-year-old male of 2024, worked six furlongs in 1:12.60 for the BC Dirt Mile. Citizen Bull won the Shared Belief Stakes at a mile for 3-year-olds against two rivals at Del Mar on Aug. 31.
Straight No Chaser, the champion male sprinter of 2024, worked five furlongs in 1:00.60 for the BC Sprint.
“I wanted five eighths in hand and that’s what he did,” trainer Dan Blacker said.
Straight No Chaser, who won the 2024 BC Sprint at Del Mar, was third in the Santa Anita Sprint Championship in his first start of the year in the United States. Earlier this year, Straight No Chaser won the Group 2 Riyadh Dirt Sprint in Saudi Arabia, but was eighth in the Group 1 Golden Shaheen Sprint in Dubai in April.
Motorious, second by a neck in the 2024 BC Turf Sprint, worked five furlongs in 59.20 seconds over the infield training track for the BC Turf Sprint on Nov. 1. Trained by Phil D’Amato, Motorious has not raced since a win in the Grade 3 Green Flash Handicap at five furlongs on turf at Del Mar on Aug. 30.
“He’s been on point for the last few weeks, and the key is to keep him that way,” D’Amato said.
D’Amato utilizes the training track frequently. On Sunday, Almendares, winner of the restricted Wickerr Stakes at a mile on turf at Del Mar in July, worked five furlongs in 59.60 on the training track.
D’Amato said over the weekend that Almendares will be considered for the BC Mile on turf. Almendares closed from last of six to finish third by 1 1/4 lengths in the Grade 2 City of Hope Mile on turf on Sept. 27.
Starry Heavens euthanized
Starry Heavens, second or third in five consecutive stakes for fillies and mares on turf in California this year, was euthanized on Sunday after sustaining a pastern injury during a workout at Santa Anita, according to a racing official.
Starry Heavens, trained by Phil D’Amato for R Unicorn Stable, was under consideration for the Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Turf at Del Mar on Nov. 1.
A 5-year-old Irish-bred mare, Starry Heavens won three of 21 starts and earned $160,778 racing in Britain, California, France, and Ireland.
In France, Starry Heavens won the listed Prix de Liancourt for 3-year-old fillies at 1 5/16 miles at Longchamp Racecourse in Paris in August 2023. In her most recent start, Starry Heavens was third by a half-length in the Grade 2 Rodeo Drive Stakes at 1 1/4 miles on turf for fillies and mares at Santa Anita on Oct. 4.
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