Thermal Set to Heat Up in Las Flores

Opportune black type awaits some of the five fillies and mares contesting the $100,000 Las Flores Stakes (G3) Jan. 4 at Santa Anita Park.

Not one is a stakes winner in North America, though Ooty  captured a group 1 in her native Argentina in 2024 before her import to the United States. Of the others, only Thermal , who showed when sent to Woodbine for a stakes race for Ontario-breds in September, has existing North American black type.

Matched against a field that includes two fillies exiting only maiden victories, Thermal is likely to be favored. After her third in the restricted Zadracarta Stakes at Woodbine in a turf sprint, trainer John Sadler returned her to dirt in Southern California, where she smoked first-level allowance optional claimers Oct. 17 at Santa Anita.

Racing over the same distance as the Las Flores, the now 5-year-old Nyquist   mare sped 6 furlongs in 1:08.89 under Hector Berrios, earning a career-best 105 Equibase Speed Figure. Increasing her advantage throughout while racing on the lead, she scored by 3 3/4 lengths, improving to 2-0-4 in 11 starts for owners By Talla Racing and John W. Sadler Racing.

Her principal foes are Magnificat , a daughter of Omaha Beach   with two wins from three starts for Hall of Fame trainer Richard Mandella, and the Bob Baffert-trained Ooty, who was freshened after twice being introduced to United States racing by facing eventual Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Sprint (G1) winner Splendora  over the summer at Del Mar.

Rain is forecast this weekend and could impact racing or track conditions. Santa Anita canceled racing Jan. 3, and a decision on the status of the Sunday card is expected Sunday morning to evaluate the latest weather forecast.