War Heroine holds on to win San Clemente

DEL MAR, Calif. – War Heroine has more to her portfolio than winning turf sprints.

Saturday at Del Mar, War Heroine won for the first time at a mile in the Grade 2 San Clemente Stakes for 3-year-old fillies on turf, setting the pace and holding off several rivals in a thrilling finish.

Ridden by Tyler Baze, War Heroine ($13.80) finished a neck in front of Ollie’s Candy, who passed 5-2 favorite Ms Bad Behavior in the final strides to gain second in the field of 13.

War Heroine was timed in 1:34.90 after setting a solid pace of 22.85 seconds for the opening quarter-mile and 46.86. War Heroine earned a Beyer Speed Figure of 89.

“She’s extremely fast,” Baze said. “Sometimes it’s not about the time as much as how much energy they expend. She was doing it comfortably.”

War Heroine led by 1 1/2 lengths on the backstretch and by a length with a furlong remaining. The first five finishers were separated by 1 1/4 lengths.

Ahimsa, the 72-1 longest shot in the field, finished fourth, beaten 1 1/4 lengths and a head in front of Flammetta, who was followed by Animosity, West Palm Beach, Ms Peintour, Miss Sienna, Lexington Grace, Dulce Ride, Rockin Ready, and Pursuing The Dream.

The San Clemente was the first loss for Ollie’s Candy in her fourth start. She won her stakes debut in the Grade 2 Summertime Oaks at Santa Anita on June 16 and had her first start on turf in the San Clemente.

“She ran her heart out,” trainer William Morey said. “I feel bad for her because she was undefeated. She has that will to win.”

Several of the San Clemente runners are expected to reconvene in the Grade 1 Del Mar Oaks at 1 1/8 miles on Aug. 18, the top race of the meeting for 3-year-old fillies.

Asked about the added distance of the Del Mar Oaks, Baze had a quick answer.

“No problem,” he said.

Owned by Gary Barber and trained by Peter Miller, War Heroine has won four of six starts and earned $240,945. She won her debut at 6 1/2 furlongs on dirt here last November.

In February, War Heroine won the Sweet Life Stakes on the hillside turf course at Santa Anita. She beat older fillies and mares in an allowance race with a $62,500 claiming option on the hillside turf course at Santa Anita on April 29.

The San Clemente Stakes was War Heroine’s first start of the summer.