Yahilwa heads home after impressive win in Treasure Chest

VINTON, La. – Yahilwa’s win in the $200,000 Treasure Chest last Saturday at Delta Downs was a satisfying one for trainer Jim Cassidy. It was the first stakes victory for the filly, who had been locking horns with horses such as Beholder back home in Southern California.

“She’s been hard at it for a while,” Cassidy said. “She’s run against some tough fillies. She gives you everything she’s got every time.”

Yahilwa defeated the Grade 1 winner Spring in the Air and the Grade 3 winner Class Included in the Treasure Chest, rallying from off the pace for a 2 1/4-length win. Yahilwa earned a Beyer Speed Figure of 91.

“I was a little concerned because she broke a tad slow,” said Cassidy, noting that Yahilwa was shuffled back at the start. “Usually, she’s on the lead or very close to it, and she wasn’t, but after that, she just went about her business.”

Yahilwa returned to her Santa Anita base Sunday, and among the options for her next start is the Grade 2, $200,000 Bayakoa Stakes at 1 1/16 miles Dec. 6 at Los Alamitos.

“We’ll look at it,” Cassidy said.

The next race for her division, he said, would be in late January or February.

Yahilwa, a 4-year-old daughter of Medaglia d’Oro, has won on dirt and synthetic surfaces and has placed on turf. Cassidy said the plan is to keep her on dirt. She started her career in England.

“She’s good on the turf, but I think she’s better on the dirt,” Cassidy said. “The Medaglia d’Oro comes out in her pretty good on the dirt.”

Yahilwa races for Deron Pearson.