Spirit of Xian Leads the Way in Providencia
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Spirit of Xian spurted out to the early lead and was never headed en route to victory in the $150,000 Providencia Stakes (gr. IIIT) for 3-year-old fillies April 4 at Santa Anita Park .
Runner-up Spanish Queen got to within a neck of the winner, who earned her first stakes victory at 16-1 odds and third overall from 10 career starts.
An Irish-bred daughter of Kodiac, Spirit of Xian captured her career debut for Hong Kong-based owner Ben Keswick going five furlongs last April at Newmarket and won a six-furlong race at Chester in August. She posted a promising third in her stateside bow Feb. 14 at Santa Anita in the 6 1/2-furlong Sweet Life Stakes for trainer Richard Mandella and proved the stretch-out in Saturday's race was no problem.
"I had a lot of horse today," winning rider Joe Talamo said. "Coming off that sprint race in her last out, she really showed a lot of speed the whole way today. When she got to the front, she relaxed nicely and all the credit has to go to Mr. Mandella. You don't see too many fillies going from a 6 1/2 race to winning a mile and eighth turf race in their next out, so really all the credit goes to him. He gave me enough horse to work with today."
Spirit of Xian covered the Providencia distance in 1:48.10 on firm turf after clocking :23.40, :47.07, and 1:11:50 for six furlongs while leading Lady Zuzu by a length, with Spanish Queen in pursuit. The mile went in 1:35.97 and Spirit of Xian edged away in the stretch, but Spanish Queen gamely drove between opponents late and closed on the leader.
"You could see, she meant to be on the lead, and Joe did a great job," Mandella said. "I was lacking confidence and I told Joe, 'If you're not sure she can get the last quarter, get off and run yourself.' He didn't have to."
Entrechat, the 8-5 favorite, closed down the center of the track for a commendable third, a half length back.
"It was the first time at this distance, so it was a little bit tough," Entrechat's rider, Flavien Prat, said. "I think she needs to get more experience. She was a little bit green, so for her, this was a good race."
Under equal weight of 118 pounds, Spirit of Xian paid $35.60, $14.80, and $7.40. Spanish Queen returned $8.20 and $5.40, and Entrechat paid $3.
Prize Exhibit was fourth, followed by Havanna Belle, Lady Zuzu, Miss Boom Boom, Lutine Belle, Ol' Fashion Gal, Jaded Glory, Sister of Mercy, and Frosty Friday.
Spirit of Xian, whose dam is the Touch Gold mare Gold Again, was bred by Brian Kennedy. She sold for €115,000 (US$156,147) to SackvilleDonald at the 2013 Goffs Orby yearling sale. Manister House Stud consigned.