Paulina's Love Scores in Buena Vista

A visually impressive last-out allowance score proved to be an indicator of future success for Paulina's Love in the $200,000 Buena Vista Stakes (gr. IIT) Feb. 20 at Santa Anita Park.



Owned by KM Racing Enterprise and Head of Plains Partners, the 4-year-old daughter of Mizzen Mast   broke through Saturday in the mile turf test and had to hold off a late run by grade I winner Stormy Lucy in the process.



Under Gary Stevens, Paulina's Love stalked the early pace of longshot Moanin, who shot to the lead and set fractions of :22.84 and :46.36 through a half-mile, then took over after six furlongs in 1:10.90. Stormy Lucy rallied from eighth, came up a neck short, as Paulina's Love hit the wire in 1:36.06. Last out grade III winner Keri Belle rallied for third, 1 3/4 lengths back.



"I've fallen in love with her," Stevens said of the Richard Baltas-trained filly. "She just keeps developing, and getting better and better."



Paulina's Love wasn't a slouch in previous graded tries, either. She came in third in the Oct. 17 Autumn Miss (gr. IIIT) and finished third over the summer in the San Clemente Handicap (gr. IIT).



"She's special at this distance and even better when she gets a little time between races like we did here" said Baltas assistant David Meah. Seven, eight weeks is huge for her. Four or five weeks, she doesn't fire like this."



Off as the 7-2 third choice, Paulina's love paid $9.60, $4.80, and $3.80 across the board. Stormy Lucy brought $4.60 and $3.20, and Keri Belle brought $5 to show.



Tepid favorite Her Emmynency came in fourth to complete the superfecta, followed by Nashoba's Gold, Prize Exhibit, Theatre Star, Smoove It, Lutine Belle, Stylish in Black, and Moanin.



Bred in Louisiana by Jason Hall, out of the Spinning World mare Electric Cove, Paulina's Love now has a 4-3-3 record from 13 starts with earnings of $304,990.