Visually ($36) shows improved form with Senorita triumph

ARCADIA, Calif. - Visually, an upset winner of the Grade 3 Senorita Stakes at Santa Anita on Sunday, is not the same filly who was beaten in three starts against winners in February and March.

Trainer Librado Barocio saw clues in recent workouts, and in Visually’s behavior around his barn, to suggest she would perform better in the $101,500 Senorita Stakes.

“She was eating everything and kicking down the barn,” Barocio said.

Barocio was further encouraged when Visually worked with a stablemate on April 21, going a half-mile in 48.60 seconds.

Those events led to a supplemental $2,000 entry on Thursday to make Visually eligible for the Senorita Stakes for 3-year-old fillies. Barocio also removed blinkers for the first time since last fall.

The investment, and the equipment change, paid a major dividend.

Visually ($36) closed from fifth in a field of eight to win her first stakes in the Senorita Stakes, a one-length victory over 3-1 Rascality.

Visually ran about 6 1/2 furlongs on the hillside turf course in 1:12.91 and earned a career-best Beyer Speed Figure of 78. She earned $60,000 for the ownership group of California Racing Partners, Joe Ciaglia, Fick Brothers Racing, Dario Bernardi, and George Monty.

Ridden by Edwin Maldonado, Visually rallied wide through the stretch to reach the front in the final furlong. Rascality, who stalked the early pace, finished a half-length in front of Laulne, the 5-2 favorite who was well-placed in early stretch but failed to sustain the effort in the final furlong.

Girl of My Dreams, who set a strong early pace of 21.85 seconds for the opening quarter-mile and 43.58 for a half-mile, faded to finish fourth. Shamrockin closed from last to finish fifth, followed by Antifona, Alluring and Flattery.

Laulne won the Angels Flight Stakes on the hillside turf course on April 7. Antifona won the Sweet Life Stakes on the hillside in February.

Maldonado rode Visually to a win in a maiden race at a mile on turf on Dec. 26, the day the filly led throughout in a 10-1 upset. Maldonado and Libracio opted for a more patient trip in the Senorita.

Maldonado said Visually responded when urged through the final furlong.

“I tried to shake the reins to get her attention,” Maldonado said. “She did the rest.”

Visually, by the Medaglia d’Oro stallion Enticed, was purchased for $23,000 at a 2-year-olds in-training sale in April 2023. She has won 2 of 9 starts and earned $139,400.

After the maiden-race win, Visually finished third in the Sweet Life Stakes on the hillside turf course on Feb. 11, fifth in the China Doll Stakes at a mile on March 10, and fourth in an allowance race at a mile on March 24.

“I think she’s still developing,” Barocio said.

The win is the latest success in a successful year for the 59-year-old Barocio, who won the Sensational Star and Siren Lure Stakes in recent months with Johnny Podres. Visually gave Barocio his first success in a graded stakes.

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