Midnight Memories, Desert Dawn Rematch in La Canada

The $100,000 La Canada Stakes (G3) at Santa Anita Park Jan. 20 will serve as a 1 1/16-mile battleground for a rematch between top California distaffers Midnight Memories  and Desert Dawn .

Meeting Dec. 15 at Los Alamitos Race Course for the $101,000 Bayakoa Stakes (G3) at the same distance, Desert Dawn looked like she had her rival's measure, taking the lead with ease as they entered the stretch. Pushed hard by Juan Hernandez, Midnight Memories squeezed between rivals on the inside, switched outside of the drifting Desert Dawn and won by a length.

Video: Bayakoa S. (G3)

A third graded stakes victory was a great way to celebrate a return from a nine-month layoff for owners Mike Pegram, Karl Watson, and Paul Weitman. Trained by Bob Baffert, the connections hope the 5-year-old daughter of Mastery  improves even more in this start.

Despite being winless for nearly two years since the 2022 Santa Anita Oaks (G2), Desert Dawn has kept good company for trainer Phil D'Amato. The 5-year-old Cupid   mare has been beaten by distaff titans such as Idiomatic , Secret Oath , Adare Manor , Echo Zulu , and Played Hard  while still amassing nearly $900,000 in earnings. H and E Ranch will hope that the class pulls her through as the Arizona homebred unites with Flavien Prat for the first time.

The La Canada is Race 8 with post time of 4 p.m. PT.