In a race that was won around the first turn, Cairo Memories outfooted Sterling Crest early, established control and exploded through the lane in a thoroughly dominant performance to win Saturday's Grade III, $100,000 Providencia Stakes by 4 ½ lengths.
Ridden by Mike Smith and trained by Bob Hess, Jr., Cairo Memories, in the race of her life, was timed in 1:47.33 for 1 1/8 miles on firm turf.
A minor stakes winner going one mile on turf at Santa Anita in her second career start on Oct. 3 of last year, Cairo Memories was never a factor when beaten 24 lengths on dirt in the Grade 3 Santa Ysabel and it's safe to say, the turf is where she'll remain from here on.
A $50,000 Keeneland September Yearling Sale purchase in 2020, Cairo Memories, who is by Cairo Prince out of the Indian Charlie mare Incarnate Memories, got her first graded stakes victory and now has three wins from six overall starts.
“I wanted to go right to the front, but she didn't break good,” said Smith. “Once she got going, she showed how aggressive she can be and got a good enough break to get the lead. I knew she was better than that last race. She got so much dirt thrown in her face, she didn't want to run. I think she is a different horse on the grass and she showed it today.”
The third choice at 5-2 in a field of six sophomore fillies, Cairo Memories paid $7.
“On turf, as soon as she gets a hold of it, she's much, much better,” said Hess. “And at a mile and an eighth, I think everyone took back and she found herself out there. She had fun out there, too. I think great horses make great jockeys look even better, so I think that's what we might have here.”
Owned by Schroeder Farms LLC and David Bernsen, Cairo Memories bagged $60,000 for the Providencia win, increasing her earnings to $292,500.
The second betting favorite at 5-2, Irish-bred Sterling Crest was second best on the day, finishing 1 ¾ lengths in front of Gold Dragon Queen.
Irish-bred Lucky Girl, the 2-1 favorite, pressed the winner to the far turn but was outrun the final eighth of a mile and checked in fifth.
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