Brazilian Star Jolie Olimpica Wins Las Cienegas Handily

Although Rick Porter of Fox Hill Farms and Hall of Fame trainer Richard Mandella will soon be losing Omaha Beach  to retirement at Spendthrift Farm following the Pegasus World Cup Invitational Stakes Presented by Runhappy (G1) Jan. 25, they now have another talented horse to help fill the void.

Jolie Olimpica, perfect in three starts in her native Brazil last year at 3, made a winning U.S. debut for Porter and Mandella Jan. 11 in the $100,000 Las Cienegas Stakes (G3T) at Santa Anita Park under Omaha Beach's rider, Mike Smith.

Well regarded off her South America form and steady morning drills at Santa Anita, Jolie Olimpica was backed to 6-5 favoritism and justified that support. Though she misbehaved in the paddock, she gave Smith no problems during the race.

He was able to position her off pacesetter and eventual runner-up Kentan Road, who sped to the lead with fractions of :22 and :44.22 in the 5 1/2-furlong turf sprint, and reeled her in down the stretch. She struck the front with a sixteenth of a mile remaining and drew away for a 1 1/4-length victory.

"I just listened to what Mr. Mandella told me this morning," Smith said. "He said, 'She trains like she's really quick, maybe a little too quick, so be still leaving there. If she puts you (up on the pace), fine. If not, give her a chance to settle, and she should finish.'"

Kentan Road, the race's lone speed, finished 2 1/4 lengths ahead of 3-2 second choice and dual grade 3 winner Storm the Hill in third. Last to begin, the latter launched a bid into contention down the backstretch and turn, then flattened out in the stretch.

An Eddie Surprise ran fourth, and Free Cover completed the five-horse field.

Under mere hand urging from Smith, Jolie Olimpica finished in a course-record 1:01 on a turf-course distance only used since the autumn meet. In the spring, Santa Anita suspended use of its 6 1/2-furlong races down its hillside course.

Now 4-for-4, the Southern Hemisphere 4-year-old paid $4.40 for a $2 win wager in her first race since winning the Grande Premio Jockey Club Brasileiro (G1) against males June 9. It was after that race she was privately purchased by Fox Hill Farms.

Although the Las Cienegas came over a short distance, it represented a starting point for Jolie Olimpica's U.S. campaign. Her three Brazilian victories came in longer races on turf, ranging from a maiden win at 6 1/2 furlongs to the Jockey Club Brasileiro at a mile.

Bred in Brazil by Stud T N T and raced there by Haras Regina, Jolie Olimpica is by Drosselmeyer, who won the 2010 Belmont Stakes (G1) at 1 1/2 miles and the 2011 Breeders' Cup Classic (G1) at 1 1/4 miles.

"I was happy to be on a Drosselmeyer," Smith said. "I was blessed enough to win the Belmont and the Breeders' Cup Classic on him, and this is his first offspring I've gotten a chance to ride. … The best part of the race was running underneath the wire, to be honest with you. She galloped out well within herself, and she wasn't winded at all. She should get a mile for sure any day."

The winner's half sister Domenica (by Redattore) took the Henrique de Toledo Lara (G2) in Brazil at 1 1/4 miles.

Video: Las Cienegas S. (G3T)