Tirupati Looks to Continue West Coast Run for Augustin

Since claiming Tirupati  back for $50,000, Augustin Stables and trainer Jonathan Thomas have been on a roll, and they will look to continue their success April 26 in the $100,000 Royal Heroine Stakes (G3T) at Santa Anita Park.

The one-mile turf race has drawn a field of 13 fillies and mares, including last year's winner Uncorked , one of four from the barn of trainer Phil D'Amato.

Augustin lost Tirupati on a $25,000 claim Oct. 3 at Woodbine, but re-acquired her for $50,000 in her next start. A try in the 2024 Matriarch Stakes (G1T) at Del Mar proved ambitious when she finished 11th, but the now 4-year-old Mitole   filly has developed into one of the top female turf milers in Southern California.

Two starts back, she stalked a fast pace in the Buena Vista Stakes (G2T) and finished second by a head behind Liguria . She followed that performance with a front-running victory in the Wilshire Stakes (G3T) March 29 at Santa Anita. Umberto Rispoli has been named to ride her back from post 6.

The Elkstone Group's Uncorked  is winless in six starts since last year's Royal Heroine, but the Australian-bred 6-year-old by Pierro  produced a pair of second-place finishes in the 2024 Yellow Ribbon Handicap (G2T) and Goldikova Stakes (G3T). She also picks up a new rider Saturday—Hall of Famer Mike Smith.

Hronis Racing's undefeated Raw Ability  makes her stakes debut. The 4-year-old Irish-bred Belardo  filly cleared her second-level allowance condition March 17 when pressing a slow pace and storming home her final quarter in about :22.40 at Santa Anita.