Kopion Soars Into Oaks Picture With Santa Ynez Romp
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Photo: Benoit Photo
Kopion wins the Santa Ynez Stakes at Santa Anita Park
With stablemate and fellow Spendthrift Farm color bearer Tamara on the sidelines, Kopion took advantage of her own chance to shine with a 5 3/4-length romp in the $100,000 Santa Ynez Stakes (G3) at Santa Anita Park.
Kopion made her debut in November well after Tamara had raced to victory in the Del Mar Debutante (G1) last summer. Nonetheless, the late-blooming 2-year-old impressed onlookers with her emphatic 3 3/4 length debut score, which made the jump to stakes company seem like only the natural next step for the auspicious Omaha Beach filly.
Hammered down to 1-5 at the windows, Kopion didn't disappoint. Sprinting clear from her four other rivals early in the Santa Ynez, the filly didn't miss a beat, widening her advantage with every furlong pole to the wire. On top by three turning for home, she nearly doubled that margin in a hand ride under a motionless Flavien Prat.
Don't Bring Crazy , Tambo , and Bossy Bruin Gal completed the order of finish.
Kopion ($2.40) stopped the timer in 1:23.89 for seven furlongs on a fast main track. A half sister to two graded stakes winners Amis Flatter and Amis Gizmo, Kopion sold to Spendthrift for $270,000 as a yearling at the 2022 Keeneland September Sale.
Trained by Hall of Famer Richard Mandella, Kopion collected 10 points on the Road to the Kentucky Oaks in what was the first Oaks points race of the year.