My Fiona Rides Rail to Golden State Victory
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Favored My Fiona, patiently handled by Rafael Bejarano, swept home along the rail to capture the $200,000 Golden State Juvenile Fillies in a Breeders' Cup prelim at Santa Anita Park Oct. 31 .
My Fiona, the 13-10 favorite in the field of eight California-breds, defeated 42-1 Princess Bertrando by three-quarters of a length in a time of 1:23.16 for seven furlongs over a fast main track. Front-running Stormy Adieu was thid.
A daughter of Ghostzapper out of the multiple stakes-winning Two Punch mare A Vision in Gray, My Fiona was bred by Terry Lovingier, who owns her in partnership with Tom Beckerle and Amanda Navarro. Walther Solis is the winning trainer.
Stormy Adieu, ridden by Florent Geroux, dueled with Easter Fever for the lead, with Easter Fever leading the opening quarter mile in :22.58 before Stormy Adieu took a narrow advantage after reaching the three-eighths pole in :45.15. Stormy Adieu maintained her edge to the furlong mark before outsider Princess Bertrando, ridden by Corey Nakatani, got the lead on the outside.
My Fiona, racing in sixth early, advanced to fourth on the turn and held the rail as Bejarano waited for room to open up in upper stretch. Given encouragement by Bejarano, My Fiona responded in the drive to take command past the sixteenth pole and held well under right-handed urging.
A game Princess Bertrando was second by 2 3/4 lengths over Stormy Adieu.
My Fiona was well rested for this effort, coming off a hard-fought second Aug. 27 in the Generous Potion Stakes over the Del Mar Polytrack. The dark bay filly won the California Thoroughbred Breeders' Association Stakes before that at Del Mar. Four of her five lifeime starts have come in stakes events following a debut win versus maidens at Santa Anita in May. She has compiled a 3-1-1 mark while earning $244,100.
Under equal weights of 121 pounds, My Fiona paid $4.60, $3.20, and $2.60 while keying a generous $126 exacta. The improving Princess Bertrando, trained by Jeff Bonde, returned $21.40 and $11.60. Stormy Adieu was $5.80 to show.
Joylicious scratched.