Santa Maria Stakes – Grade II
1 1/16 Mile Dirt Stake Purse $200.000 Filly & Mare 4 Year Olds And Up.

1st Sneaky Opus Joshua Stables Smith M E

Joshua Stables will be thrilled that the $150.000 they spent on this four year old filly looked well worth it as she cruised home by two easy lengths in what looked like a close race on paper. Two from two in dirt routes it does make you wonder why her previous trainer didnt see the potential but this trainer clearly did and she is now set to go higher and higher in the ranks.

2nd Stellar Wind Simmer Down Stable Desormeaux K J

As i wrote in the preview from this race the race engine doesnt care how many runners in a race when it comes to selecting what a wide gate does. To be fair she is a handy sort on the pace but one felt she was being set up to be shot down as many wide gate front runners are and sure enough she didnt have any answers when challenged. To be fair to the winner she was the better filly today but this one has now proved twice that she isnt far behind this grade and there will be some black type in her future i am sure.

3rd Honey Dew Maxmillion Farm Talamo J

Pulled back after starting well enough she once again found little under teh whip and just whacked away for third.

4th Harsh Mb Stables Van Dyke D

This was a disappointing effort after her last two starts not really showing any zest in finishing the last of four.

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