War Heroine Speeds to Victory in San Clemente
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Photo: Benoit Photo
War Heroine (inside) just holds off Ollie's Candy (outside) and Ms Bad Behavior to win the San Clemente Stakes at Del Mar
In a large field that appeared to be loaded with speed for the $200,000 San Clemente Stakes (G2T) July 21 at Del Mar, Gary Barber's War Heroine was simply fastest.
Under jockey Tyler Baze, the 3-year-old Lonhro filly sprinted to the front immediately, set swift fractions, and just held on late to win the one-mile turf test by a neck over previously undefeated Ollie's Candy.
"She's an extremely fast filly—extremely fast," Baze said of War Heroine, who won her first two grass starts sprinting down the Santa Anita Park hillside turf course. "But it isn't so much about speed. It's about how they're expending their energy. She was doing it well today.
"I knew she was good for a mile. She's all heart. She loves to stick her neck out and win."
After the Peter Miller-trained War Heroine set fractions of :22.85, :46.86, and 1:10.67 through six furlongs, favored Ms Bad Behavior appeared to be the biggest threat, but only one horse was making up significant ground from the back of the 13-filly field.
Ollie's Candy, who won the Summertime Oaks (G2) last time out on dirt June 16, broke from the far outside and rallied in the stretch despite a wide trip in her turf debut—three wide into the first turn, four wide in the second turn, and six wide turning for home—but ran out of ground late.
"An awesome race for her," said jockey Corey Nakatani, who rode the Candy Ride filly for the first time Saturday. "This was a good education for her today. They got her right now. She'll be ready for the (Aug. 18) Del Mar Oaks (G1T)."
Ms Bad Behavior held for third, a neck behind Ollie's Candy, and was followed by Ahimsa, Flammetta, Animosity, West Palm Beach, Ms Peintour, Miss Sienna (GB), Lexington Grace, Dulce Ride, Rockin Ready, and Pursuing The Dream to complete the order of finish.
Bred in Kentucky by Waymore, out of the War Chant mare War Tigress, War Heroine has four wins from six starts and $240,945 in earnings. The San Clemente was her first graded win but second stakes win. Her first was a victory in the Sweet Life Stakes at Santa Anita in February. She was a $37,000 purchase by P.M.S. Racing Stable from Eaton Sales' consignment to the 2016 Keeneland September Yearling Sale.
"She reminds me a lot of (four-time graded winner) Belvoir Bay—small but mighty," Miller said. "She's got a big heart and a lot of speed."