Opportune black sort awaits a number of the 5 fillies and mares contesting the $100,000 Las Flores Stakes (G3) Jan. 4 at Santa Anita Park.
Not one is a stakes winner in North America, although Ooty captured a gaggle 1 in her native Argentina in 2024 earlier than her import to america. Of the others, solely Thermal , who confirmed when despatched to Woodbine for a stakes race for Ontario-breds in September, has present North American black sort.
Matched in opposition to a subject that features two fillies exiting solely maiden victories, Thermal is more likely to be favored. After her third within the restricted Zadracarta Stakes at Woodbine in a turf dash, coach John Sadler returned her to filth in Southern California, the place she smoked first-level allowance non-obligatory claimers Oct. 17 at Santa Anita.
Racing over the identical distance because the Las Flores, the now 5-year-old Nyquist  mare sped 6 furlongs in 1:08.89 beneath Hector Berrios, incomes a career-best 105 Equibase Pace Determine. Rising her benefit all through whereas racing on the lead, she scored by 3 3/4 lengths, bettering to 2-0-4 in 11 begins for house owners By Talla Racing and John W. Sadler Racing.
Her principal foes are Magnificat , a daughter of Omaha Seashore  with two wins from three begins for Corridor of Fame coach Richard Mandella, and the Bob Baffert-trained Ooty, who was freshened after twice being launched to United States racing by dealing with eventual Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Dash (G1) winner Splendora over the summer season at Del Mar.Join BloodHorse Each day
Rain, which brought on Santa Anita to cancel racing Dec. 31-Jan. 1, is forecast to proceed this weekend and will impression racing or monitor situations.
Entries: Las Flores S. (G3)Santa Anita Park, Sunday, January 04, 2026, Race 6Grade III6fDirt $100,0004 yo’s & up Fillies and Mares2:43 PM (native)
