Lille rallied from mid-pack to capture the $125.000 SSM F/M Turf Sprint Stakes at Santa Anita, overtaking the leaders in the stretch to win the 6 1/2-furlong “Down the Hill” turf stakes event for fillies and mares four years old and upward foaled in California under Umberto Rispoli for Mo Mentum Farm. The bay five-year-old mare posted a final time of 1:12.03 over a firm turf course, earning her tenth career victory from 22 starts. The victory provided excellent value for connections and added another prestigious California-bred stakes title to Lille’s remarkable resume, which includes her Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Sprint triumph and multiple graded stakes victories on both dirt and turf while carrying 123 pounds.

Flow & Calls

As the gates opened for the SSM F/M Turf Sprint Stakes, Lille broke alertly from post two to establish position in second through the opening quarter-mile in :21.3. Hawkeye Nation, breaking from post three, occupied third under Van Dyke. Falling Cougar raced in first in the early stages after breaking from post eight, while Stellar Strength occupied fourth. Emily settled into sixth, Fun Dip raced in tenth, Code Red And Ready occupied seventh, Vandine Road settled into ninth, Suzy Kolber raced in fifth, So Glad Youre Mine occupied eleventh, and Orchid raced in first as the field completed the opening quarter over the firm turf course.

Through the half-mile marker reached in :43.3, Lille had maintained her position in second, tracking the pace. Hawkeye Nation moved up to first, taking command. Falling Cougar continued from first, showing the way. Stellar Strength raced in first, positioning herself near the leaders. Emily occupied third, Fun Dip advanced to fifth, Code Red And Ready moved up to first, Vandine Road continued from ninth, Suzy Kolber raced in seventh, So Glad Youre Mine occupied tenth, and Orchid remained in first as the field approached the far turn.

As the field reached the six-furlong marker in 1:06.2, Lille had improved her position, advancing to first and positioning herself for the stretch drive. Hawkeye Nation maintained second, tracking the leader. Falling Cougar raced in first, staying in contention. Stellar Strength occupied first, while Emily raced in third. Fun Dip continued from first, Code Red And Ready occupied first, Vandine Road raced in fourth, Suzy Kolber continued from third, So Glad Youre Mine occupied tenth, and Orchid remained in second as the field prepared to straighten for home.

In the final furlong, Lille surged powerfully under Rispoli’s urging, drawing clear to secure the victory. Hawkeye Nation fought on gamely to claim second after tracking the pace throughout. Falling Cougar held on well to secure third after racing prominently early. Stellar Strength finished fourth after pressing the pace, while Emily and Fun Dip finished in a dead heat for fifth. Code Red And Ready finished seventh, followed by Vandine Road in eighth, Suzy Kolber in ninth, So Glad Youre Mine in tenth, and Orchid completing the order in eleventh. The winner crossed the finish line one length in front of the runner-up.

Each Runner Mentioned

Lille occupied second position through the opening quarter in :21.3, maintained second at the half-mile marker in :43.3, advanced to first at the six-furlong call in 1:06.2, and surged powerfully in the stretch to win by one length in a final time of 1:12.03 for her tenth career victory.

Hawkeye Nation raced in third through the opening quarter, moved up to first at the half-mile marker, maintained second at the six-furlong call, and fought on gamely to claim second, beaten one length.

Falling Cougar established the early lead through the opening quarter, continued from first at the half-mile marker, raced in first at the six-furlong call, and held on for third after setting the early pace.

Stellar Strength occupied fourth position through the opening quarter, raced in first at the half-mile marker, maintained first at the six-furlong call, and finished fourth after pressing the pace.

Emily settled into sixth through the opening quarter, advanced to third at the half-mile marker, raced in third at the six-furlong call, and finished in a dead heat for fifth.

Fun Dip raced in tenth through the opening quarter, moved up to fifth at the half-mile marker, continued from first at the six-furlong call, and finished in a dead heat for fifth.

Code Red And Ready occupied seventh position through the opening quarter, advanced to first at the half-mile marker, raced in first at the six-furlong call, and finished seventh.

Vandine Road settled into ninth through the opening quarter, maintained ninth at the half-mile marker, moved up to fourth at the six-furlong call, and finished eighth.

Suzy Kolber raced in fifth through the opening quarter, occupied seventh at the half-mile marker, continued from third at the six-furlong call, and finished ninth.

So Glad Youre Mine occupied eleventh position through the opening quarter, maintained tenth at the half-mile marker, remained in tenth at the six-furlong call, and finished tenth.

Orchid raced in first through the opening quarter, maintained first at the half-mile marker, occupied second at the six-furlong call, and finished eleventh, fading after showing early speed.

Winner’s Profile

Lille, a bay mare by Great State out of Blue Caviar, was bred by Smokey Stover and is owned by Mo Mentum Farm. The victory pushes her lifetime earnings to $1,646.280 with ten wins from 22 career starts.

Track: Firm
Time: :21³  :43³  1:06²  1:12

$2 Mutuel Prices:

$1 Exacta: 2 – 3 Paid 105.70
$1 Trifecta: 2 – 3 – 8 Paid 555.90

Scratched: None

Categories: STAKES ARTICLES, Ungraded