Venetian Harbor likely to race next in Santa Anita Oaks

ARCADIA, Calif. – Venetian Harbor cruised to an easy win in Saturday’s Grade 2 Las Virgenes Stakes for 3-year-old fillies at Sana Anita despite losing a front shoe in the race.

Trainer Richard Baltas said he was unsure when Venetian Harbor jettisoned the shoe, but said the incident was not a concern on Sunday morning.

“You worry about that when it happens,” Baltas said. “Her feet are cold and she jogged sound.”

Venetian Harbor won the $200,000 Las Virgenes Stakes at a mile by 9 1/4 lengths, leading throughout. Baltas said the filly is unlikely to race again until the Grade 2 Santa Anita Oaks at 1 1/16 miles on April 4, a key prep for the Kentucky Oaks at Churchill Downs on May 1.

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Ridden by Flavien Prat, Venetian Harbor led by six lengths after the opening quarter-mile, and by a length with a quarter-mile remaining before drawing away through the stretch.

“She answered the call,” Baltas said. “I’m trying to get her to settle a little more. Once she got down the backstretch, she relaxed.

“When horses came up to her like that, she rebroke. That’s a good sign. Prat said he gave her a little breather.”

Venetian Harbor has won 2 of 3 starts and earned $163,400 for Ciaglia Racing, Highland Yard, Dominic Savides and River Oak Farm. After finishing second in her debut in a maiden special weight race at five furlongs on turf at Del Mar on Nov. 15, Venetian Harbor won her main track debut in a maiden special weight at 6 1/2 furlongs by 10 3/4 lengths on Dec. 29, leading to the Las Virgenes Stakes.