Tribal Spy gets trip - and win - in Las Cienegas

ARCADIA, Calif. - With Biorhythm and Sky High Gal setting a quick early pace, jockey Joe Talamo was content to rate Tribal Spy off the lead in Saturday’s $100,500 Las Cienegas Stakes on the hillside turf course at Santa Anita.

“I was pleased to see those other fillies going head to head,” Talamo said.

He was even more delighted when Tribal Spy went past the front-runners in the stretch to win the Grade 3 Las Cienegas Stakes. Tribal Spy ($25.60) ran about 6 1/2 furlongs on turf in 1:12.12.

The Las Cienegas Stakes was the second consecutive stakes win for Tribal Spy and her most prestigious. She won the Irish O’Brien Stakes for California-breds on the hillside turf course on March 15. Last June, Tribal Spy won a $30,000 claiming race for maidens at Hollywood Park.

In the Las Cienegas, Tribal Spy was third on the hillside, racing three to four lengths behind Sky High Gal and Biorhythm, who dueled through an early pace of 21.58 seconds. Biorhythm led through a half-mile in 43.02 seconds and was in front in early stretch.

Tribal Spy rallied wide to take the lead before the eighth pole. She was tested to the wire, holding off a late threat from 11-1 Llandudno. Sky High Gal held third, followed by Biorhythm, Ciao Bella Luna, Macaabra and Minds Eyes. Biorhythm was the 7-5 favorite. John Sadler trains Llandudno, Sky High Gal and Minds Eyes.

Tribal Spy led throughout the Irish O’Brien, but trainer Adam Kitchingman said he was content watching the filly stalk the pace in the Las Cienegas.

“I left it up to Joe,” he said. “She’s a gutty little filly.”

Tribal Spy, a 4-year-old California-bred by Tribal Rule, races for Paul Boghossian’s Triple B Farms. Tribal Spy has won 6 of 15 starts and earned $298,610.