Virden takes Senorita Stakes

INGLEWOOD, Calif. - Virden, the longest shot in a field of 10 3-year-old fillies, pulled an upset by leading throughout Sunday's $111,900 at Hollywood Park to pull.

Virden was left alone on the lead on the backstretch, holding an advantage of as much as 1 1-2 lengths. She led by that margin in early stretch and won by a nose over Three Degrees. Virden ($54.40) finished a mile on turf in 1:35.37.

Three Degrees, who suffered her first loss in the United States, finished 1 1-4 lengths in front of Thatswhatimean. Shining Energy, the 5-2 favorite, was never a factor and finished seventh.

The Senorita marked Virden's first start in Southern California, having previously raced at Turf Paradise. Owned by Dennis Weir and trained by Dan McFarlane, Virden has won 4 of 7 starts and $145,840.

The race marked the first Hollywood Park stakes win for jockey Omar Figueroa.

At Turf Paradise, Virden won two minor stakes - the Sun Devil Stakes and Scottsdale Handicap.

McFarlane said Virden could reappear in the $175,000 Honeymoon Handicap over 1 1-8 miles on turf for 3-year-olds fillies on June 5.