Shantisara Defeats Salty Field in Hillsborough
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Photo: SV Photography
Shantisara kicks clear under Irad Ortiz Jr. in the Hillsborough Stakes at Tampa Bay Downs
With the retirement of 2022 champion turf mare Regal Glory , the race to fill that top slot in the older fillies grass division has begun.
In trainer Chad Brown's barn, there is seldom a shortage of quality turf runners, and often in his stable, when one door closes, another opens. Shantisara stormed through that door with a flourish in the $200,000 Hillsborough Stakes (G2T) March 11 at Tampa Bay Downs.
One of three Brown runners that included the comebacking grade 1 winner Rougir , unraced since an off-the-board effort in the Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf (G1T), Shantisara was favored partially on the strength of her fast-closing runner-up finish last time out in the Pegasus World Cup Filly and Mare Turf Invitational Stakes (G3T).
Winner of the Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup Stakes (G1T) as a 3-year-old, Shantisara had an abbreviated two-start campaign last year before her Pegasus run. The class that has always been there revealed itself in a big way Saturday when the Irish-bred quickened away in deep stretch from her rivals, all of whom were graded stakes winners or graded stakes placed, winning by 1 1/4 lengths.
Rougir made an encouraging move down the backstretch but failed to launch much of a threat late, fading to fifth in her season debut.
Knocking slightly with Gam's Mission in the leap from the gate, Shantisara was kept under snug hold from Irad Ortiz Jr. as Scotish Star dictated a moderate first quarter in :24.31 and half-mile in :48.48. Maintaining her lead past the six-furlong marker in 1:12.88, Scotish Star dug in gamely but could not hold off the powerful late punch from Shantisara.
Shantisara ($4) struck the wire in a final time of 1:47.14 for the 1 1/8 miles, only .88 seconds off Tepin 's stakes record.
Scotish Star edged Endeavor Stakes (G3T) winner Surprisingly for second.
"I was really proud of Shantisara," Brown said.
The conditioner captured his sixth Hillsborough title following past victories with Bleecker Street (2022), Rymska (2019), Fourstar Crook (2018), Stephanie's Kitten (2015), and Zagora (2012).
"With the slower pace, after she put herself closer, Irad (Ortiz) really navigated her around the track perfectly," he added. "It was an expert ride and a top performance from this filly, so I am happy to have her back. If we can keep this horse healthy, I'm pretty confident she can be one of the leaders in her division."
Campaigned by Madaket Stables, Michael Dubb, and Robert LaPenta, the daughter of Coulsty joined Brown's barn in 2021 after winning two races in France. Shantisara joined the exclusive millionaire's club with her Hillsborough score. With a $1,092,996 bankroll, she boasts a 6-4-0 record from 13 starts.
Bred by Oliver Donlon, Shantisara is the last foal out of the Dalakhani mare Kharana, who died in 2020. Shantisara is her only foal to race.