Venetian Harbor never looks back in Las Virgenes romp

ARCADIA, Calif. - Venetian Harbor has shown remarkable improvement since Flavien Prat rode her to a second-place finish in her debut in November.

In late December, Venetian Harbor won a maiden special weight race by 10 3/4 lengths. On Saturday at Santa Anita, Venetian Harbor led throughout under Prat in the Grade 2 Las Virgenes Stakes for 3-year-old fillies, winning by 9 ¼ lengths. Venetian Harbor ran one mile in 1:37.04 and returned $2.60.

Venetian Harbor, by Munnings, took the lead quickly in the $200,000 Las Virgenes Stakes, holding an advantage of six lengths after a quarter-mile in 23.20 seconds. Stellar Sound got within 1 1/2 lengths of Venetian Harbor through a half-mile in 46.72.

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Stellar Sound could not sustain the effort and was passed by Gingham, ridden by Drayden Van Dyke.

“Near the quarter pole, I thought I had a chance to run her down,” Van Dyke said, referring to Venetian Harbor. “The filly on the lead had a few more gears.”

Venetian Harbor, who earned a Beyer Speed Figure of 92, was given a hand ride to the finish. Prat reviewed a replay of the Dec. 29 win and said he learned about Venetian Harbor’s tactics.

“That was my question, if she would relax,” he said.

Prat even found an occasion to give Venetian Harbor a breather on Saturday.

“She dropped the bit on the turn,” Prat said. “From there, she reengaged.”

Gingham, fourth in the Grade 1 Starlet Stakes at Los Alamitos on Dec. 7, finished second, 2 1/4 lengths in front of Stellar Sound, who was third. Stellar Sound had not raced since a third in the Desi Arnaz Stakes at Del Mar on Nov. 10.

Gingham and Stellar Sound are trained by Bob Baffert.

Go Big Blue Nation and Cholula Lips completed the order of finish in the five-horse field.

Venetian Harbor has earned $163,400 in three starts. Purchased for $110,000 at the 2018 Keeneland September Yearling Sale, Venetian Harbor is trained by Richard Baltas for the partnership of Ciaglia Racing, Highland Yard and River Oak Farm.