INGLEWOOD, Calif. - Santa Catarina finally found a stakes she could win in Saturday's $206,200 Hollywood Breeders' Cup Oaks.
After placing in five major stakes in the last 10 months, Santa Catarina dominated four opponents in the Grade 2 Oaks, closing from last to win by a convincing four lengths over Buffythecenterfold.
Ridden by Gary Stevens, Santa Catarina finished 1 1-16 miles in 1:41.62. The final time was a stakes record, but only the fifth time the Oaks has been run over 1 1-16 miles.
"I think she has room for improvement," Stevens said.