Fantastic Style Dominant in Las Flores Score

Kaleem Shah's Fantastic Style returned from a more than eight month layoff in style, easily scoring in the $100,000 Las Flores Stakes (gr. III) March 20 at Santa Anita Park.



With the scratch of main challenger Sensitively, the daughter of Harlan's Holiday trained by Bob Baffert went off as the 1-2 favorite and won like a 1-2 favorite under jockey Rafael Bejarano.



After stalking the pace in the six-furlong sprint, she took command at the top of the stretch and pulled away to win by four lengths, ahead of closing grade III winner Ben's Duchess. Cadet Roni was another 3 3/4 lengths back in third.



The 4-year-old filly was just a half-length off longshot pacesetter Amaranth as she ran the first quarter in :22.09, but pulled within a head through a half in :44.66 and finished off the six furlongs in 1:08.79.



"I decided to use her a little bit from the gate to stay close," Bejarano said. "I sat second the whole way and I knew (Amaranth) was done. She's been working really well in the mornings, so I just think she's getting better and better."



It was Fantastic Style's first start since a victory in similar style July 11 in the Great Lady M Stakes (gr. II) at Los Alamitos Race Course.



ANGST: Fantastic Style Overwhelms Great Lady M Field



"She just cruised," said Baffert assistant Mike Marlow. "(Bejarano) was loaded all the way. She was off for a while, but Bob had her ready. She was really impressive. It was a good comeback race."



Finest City finished an even fourth and Amaranth tired to last, completing the order of finish.



The winner paid $3, $2.40, and $2.10 across the board. Ben's Duchess brought $4.20 and $2.60, and Cadet Roni brought $2.40 to show.



Bred in Kentucky by C. Kidder, N. Cole, and E. Voute from the Mr. Greely mare Ruby Summer, Fantastic Style has a 5-1-1 record from seven starts and $332,000 in earnings.