3-for-3 Jolie Olimpica Makes U.S. Debut in Las Cienegas

After starting her career with three easy wins in her native Brazil, including a six-length romp over males in the Grande Premio Jockey Club Brasileiro (G1), Jolie Olimpica makes her U.S. debut in the $100,000 Las Cienegas Stakes (G3T) Jan. 11 at Santa Anita Park.

The Las Cienegas, a 5 1/2-furlong turf sprint for older fillies and mares, marks a cut back in distance for Jolie Olimpica, a Southern Hemisphere 4-year-old daughter of Drosselmeyer who will be making her first start since the June 9 Jockey Club Brasileiro. After that dominating win, Jolie Olimpica was privately purchased by Rick Porter's Fox Hill Farms and sent to Hall of Fame trainer Richard Mandella. 

Jolie Olimpica, campaigned in Brazil by owner Haras Regina, rolled to a 4 1/2-length victory in her debut in February 2019 before capturing the 7 1/2-furlong Grande Premio Adayr Eyras de Araujo (G3) in April ahead of her group 1 win at one mile in June. She made all three of her starts on the turf at Gavea, capturing the two stakes for trainer Roberto Solanes.

With three wins by a combined 13 1/2 lengths in Brazil, Jolie Olimpica is the 6-5 morning-line favorite Saturday. Jolie Olimpica has delivered a half-dozen timed works since late November, including a strong five-furlong move in 1:01 Dec. 21 at Santa Anita, ninth-fastest of 69 at the distance.

Porter and Mandella have teamed with Omaha Beach , a finalist for 2019 champion 3-year-old male who is scheduled to wrap up his career in the Pegasus World Cup Presented by Runhappy (G1) Jan. 25 at Gulfstream Park. Jolie Olimpica also will have Omaha Beach's regular rider in Mike Smith, who at 54 is looking forward to another full season of racing.

"Hopefully, I can finish out my career on an upswing," Smith said. "I don't think I'd ride off into the sunset. I'd still like to hang around and do some things in TV or publicity, but I plan on riding another few years."

Second-choice at 9-5 in Saturday's expected field of five is two-time grade 3 winner Storm the Hill, who also will be cutting back in distance for her 6-year-old debut. Last year the daughter of Get Stormy  failed to reach the winner's circle but earned graded stakes-placings in the one-mile Wilshire Stakes (G3T)—a race she won in 2018—and the 1 1/16-mile Yellow Ribbon Handicap (G2T).

Alastar Thoroughbred Company and Michael Valdes' Storm the Hill closed out 2019 with a fifth-place finish Dec. 1 in the Matriarch Stakes (G1T) at one mile on the Del Mar turf. All of her 2019 races were at one mile or longer but trainer Phil D'Amato noted she's accomplished in turf sprints.

Video: Senator Ken Maddy S. (G3T)

"She's won sprint stakes twice at Santa Anita," said D'Amato, alluding to the Senator Ken Maddy (G3T) in 2018 and the Unzip Me in 2017, both of which were in longer 6 1/2-furlong races down the hillside turf course. "She's doing very well."

Entries: Las Cienegas S. (G3T)

Santa Anita Park, Saturday, January 11, 2020, Race 3

• Grade IIIT
• 5 1/2f
• Turf
• $100,000
• 4 yo's & up Fillies and Mares
• 1:32 PM (local)

PP	Horse	Jockey	Wgt	Trainer	M/L
1	1Storm the Hill (KY)	Flavien Prat	120	Philip D'Amato	9/5
2	2Kentan Road (KY)	Jorge I. Velez	120	John W. Sadler	4/1
3	3Jolie Olimpica (BRZ)	Mike E. Smith	122	Richard E. Mandella	6/5
4	4An Eddie Surprise (CA)	Mario Gutierrez	120	Doug F. O'Neill	8/1
5	5Free Cover (KY)	Ruben Fuentes	120	Andrew Lerner	6/1