Simply Breathless Emerges Victorious in Wilshire Stakes

A few days of rain and a slightly softer turf proved to be the perfect combination for Cloros Bloodstock's Simply Breathless, who split horses in midstretch and picked up her first graded score in the $101,755 Wilshire Stakes (G3T) June 22 at Santa Anita Park. 

It was Ippodamia's Girl who broke on top in the one-mile turf test. Guided by Norberto Arroyo Jr., the filly led through fractions of :23.30, :46.56, and 1:10.59 for six furlongs, maintaining a head advantage over Achira as the field made its way to the far turn. 

Angled to the inside, Storm the Hill stalked the pace from her spot on the inside rail and moved up to challenge on the outside at the top of the stretch. Finding room on the rail, Ollie's Candy kicked forward to give chase just as Simply Breathless made her own move for the front on the outside under Flavien Prat. The two dueled briefly in the final strides before Simply Breathless dug in for a final drive and prevailed over Ollie's Candy by 1 1/4 lengths. 

"She's talented," said Prat. "I thought she was the right horse to beat, and I thought she traveled well the whole race. We had to be patient around the turn, but once she got clear, she gave us a good kick. It rained for a few days and the track got soft here, so that was good for us."

The final time was 1:35.50.

In a blanket finish for second, Ollie's Candy was awarded place honors ahead of Storm the Hill in third an Ippodamia's Girl in fourth. Don't Blame Judy took fifth, followed by Poster Girl, Achira, Tapped, A Little Bit Me, and Meal Ticket to complete the order. 

The Wilshire was only the second start stateside for Simply Breathless, who transferred to the barn of Hall of Fame trainer Neil Drysdale following her sophomore campaign. She won her first start for Drysdale—also her season debut—April 27 in the Golden Poppy Stakes at Golden Gate Fields. Prior to that effort, the 4-year-old picked up three handicap wins in the United Kingdom for trainer Clive Cox and owner The Hold Your Breath Syndicate. 

A daughter of Darley July Cup (G1) runner-up Bated Breath, Simply Breathless was bred in Great Britain by Highgate Stud. She is the second foal out of the Nayef mare Darling Grace, who foaled an Outstrip filly in 2018. Simply Breathless was purchased for $13,232 by Clive Cox Racing from the consignment of Stephen Kemble Bloodstock to the 2016 Goffs U.K. Silver Yearling Sale. She has a 6-2-4 record from 15 starts and $161,963 in earnings.