Virginia-bred Stellar Wind swooped in from the East Coast to claim the $100,000 Santa Ysabel Feb. 28 in her stakes debut at Santa Anita Park.
Last seen breaking her maiden going a mile at Laurel Park in December, the 3-year-old filly by Curlin earned her first victory for new owner, Hronis Racing, and trainer, John Sadler, in the 1-1/16-mile test on a track rated fast.
Off at 7-1, Stellar Wind broke slowly and sat off the pace in the field of seven with jockey Victor Espinoza through much of the Kentucky Oaks prep race, then moved up four-wide through the second turn and into the stretch before pulling away to win by 2 3/4 lengths over favorite and second-place finisher Light the City.
"It was so cold in Maryland, I think she was glad to get in this good weather," Sadler said. "I want to thank David Ingordo. He found her for me. He was the agent on the deal, and the previous trainer [Donald Barr] did a nice job."
Jerry Hollendorfer trains Light the City, who left the gate at 2-1, and also conditions third- and fourth-place finishers Glory and Achiever's Legacy.
Stellar Wind, bred by Keswick Stables and Stonestreet Thoroughbred Holdings out of Malibu Moon mare Evening Star, paid $16.00, $8.60, and $5.20. Light the City returned $3.60 and $2.40. Glory paid $3.20 to show.
Early leader Enchanting Lady ran the opening quarter-mile in :23.99 seconds, the half-mile in :48.63 seconds, and six furlongs 1:13.06, then faded to finish fifth.
"I wanted to break and let her do whatever she wanted to do," Espinoza said. "I didn't want to irritate her, just make her happy. They slowed the pace down, so I had to move out a bit. They were walking up front, so I had to press the pace by the three-eighths pole. She was just waiting for me to command her."
Rainha Da Bateria-who came into the race as the only graded-stakes winner-and Rattataptap completed the order of finish. Danette and Curlin's Fox were scratches.
Stellar Wind improved her record to 2-0-1 in three career starts and pushed earnings to $87,200 with the stakes win. The filly also moved into a tie for fourth place, with 50 points for the victory Saturday, in the Road to the Kentucky Oaks standings.
After the race, Sadler said he would consider the Santa Anita Oaks April 4 for the filly's next race.
"That would be the logical spot at this point," Sadler said.