War Heroine shows grit in winning Sweet Life Stakes

ARCADIA, Calif. – Considering the events of her life in the last two months, a surface switch was not a big issue for War Heroine in Sunday’s $83,415 Sweet Life Stakes at Santa Anita.

War Heroine was at San Luis Rey Downs in early December when a wildfire struck the northern San Diego County training facility. She was not injured, trainer Peter Miller said, but missed training led to a disappointing sixth-place finish in the Grade 2 Santa Ynez Stakes at seven furlongs at Santa Anita on Jan. 7.

War Heroine was sharper for the Sweet Life and performed to expectations, winning the race at about 6 1/2 furlongs on the hillside turf course as the 9-2 fourth choice in a field of 12.

Ridden by Tyler Baze, War Heroine disputed the pace and held off a late threat from 2-1 favorite Ms Bad Behavior to win by a half-length in 1:12.86.

“She showed a lot of heart,” said winning owner Gary Barber. “She’s a tough little filly.”

Baze had War Heroine within a length of early leader War Puddles on the hillside before taking the lead before the field crossed onto the main turf course.

“She’s fast, but she doesn’t need the lead,” Baze said. “I wanted to ride a smart ride. She handled the grass really good. When I asked her, she cut down the lane.”

War Heroine ($11.20) was timed in 1:12.86. Miller thought she would be effective on turf considering the Kentucky-bred filly’s bloodlines (Lonhro-War Tigress, by War Chant).

“Her pedigree said turf,” Miller said.

Ms Bad Behavior finished a half-length in front of Out of The Flames, who was followed by Finess Bere, Treasuring, Miss Puddles, Mraseel, Atrevida, Theodosia, My Masterpiece, Ismelucky, and Holy Diver.

War Heroine has won 2 of 3 starts and earned $80,145. She was purchased for $37,000 at the 2016 Keeneland September yearling sale.

War Heroine won her debut at Del Mar in a maiden race at 6 1/2 furlongs by 6 3/4 lengths on Nov. 12. The fire occurred on Dec. 7. Like most of the Miller-trained runners, War Heroine has been based at Del Mar in recent months. Miller suggested on Sunday that the disruption of the fire and the relocation could have had an effect on War Heroine in the Santa Ynez.

“After the race, she was exhausted,” Miller said. “I don’t know if it was because she lost some training time. She scoped with a little mucous. She was the same today as her first start.”