Rashmi Tries to Hold Off Familiar Foes in Buena Vista

The $200,000, one-mile Buena Vista Stakes (G2T) March 1 at Santa Anita Park will serve as a reunion of sorts for more than half the field.

Four of the seven fillies and mares crossed paths exactly four weeks before the Buena Vista in the Megahertz Stakes (G3T). Racing the same one-mile distance as the Buena Vista over the same course, Rashmi  lurked until reaching the stretch where she took control for a 2 1/2-length victory. 

The Augustin Stables (George Strawbridge Jr.) homebred has been in good form over her last three starts, posting career-best triple-digit Equibase Speed Figures en route to two wins. The lone non-victory was a fourth in the American Oaks (G1T).

Jonathan Thomas trains the daughter of Oscar Performance  . 

Third in the Megahertz was Michael McCarthy trainee Liguria . A five-time graded stakes runner, Liguria saved ground in the Megahertz before rallying to get on the board. If the War Front   mare can get out front she may be difficult for her rivals to catch. 

Another Buena Vista contender who ran in the Megahertz is Omaha Girl . The 4-year-old Omaha Beach   filly ran in the 2023 Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies (G1) but has competed exclusively on the turf since then. Her journey has seen her participate in four graded stakes since the Breeders' Cup, including her last three starts. But she hasn't been able to reach the winner's circle outside of an allowance optional claiming race last summer at Del Mar.

The fourth and final runner who is following up the Megahertz with the Buena Vista is Big Hug . Val Brinkerhoff's trainee is looking for her first graded stakes triumph. The daughter of Mr. Big  was third on the dirt in the La Canada Stakes (G3) and sixth in the Megahertz. 

Not to be overshadowed is the Australia-bred Uncorked , a daughter of Australian sire Pierro . Since coming to the United States, 6-year-old Uncorked has finished in the top three 75% of the time with a 3-4-2 mark from 12 races. After running under the tutelage of Brittany Russell in 2023, her first year in the U.S., Uncorked changed to the barn of West Coast trainer Phil D'Amato.

Uncorked has run in graded company her last five times out with one win and two placings in those efforts. 

Also in the field is Alpha Bella , a daughter of Justify   who has posted three straight seconds—all in graded contests on dirt, and Tirupati , the second Thomas-trained and Augustin Stables-owned entry in the Buena Vista.

The Buena Vista is the third race on the 11-card Santa Anita Handicap day card.