Fresh off of an airplane from Lexington, Irish-bred Selenaia proved much the best among a field of eight sophomore fillies in Saturday's $100,000 Honeymoon Stakes (G3) at Santa Anita as she sprinted to a 3¼-length victory under Joe Bravo.
Trained by Kentucky-based Jonathan Thomas, Selenaia finished 1 1/8 miles on turf in 1:48.18 while making her first stakes appearance.
Breaking sharply, Selenaia was fourth under a snug hold, about 4½ lengths off of trainer Bob Baffert's speedy Fast and Shiny as the field crossed the finish line for the first time. Fourth by a similar margin heading to the far turn, she pulled Bravo to the fore midway around the turn, made the lead a quarter mile from home, and fairly sprinted to the wire under a hand ride in a most impressive Southern California debut.
“I've never been on her before, (but) I've seen her replays,” said Bravo. “Jonathan gave me a big heads up on her today and she broke away from there and was in control about it all. I really didn't want to make the move down the backside. Man, she stretched out across the wire so beautifully.
“Jonathan just has her (on the improve). She just keeps getting better. I'm excited to see what more she has in store.”
A one-mile maiden turf winner two starts back on Sept. 24 at the Meadowlands, Selenaia rallied for a 1¾-length win in one-mile allowance at Horseshoe Indianapolis on May 10. In steady training at Keeneland since her last start, Selenaia was off as the 5-2 second choice Saturdsy and paid $7.60.
Owned by Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners and Madaket Stables LLC, Selenaia has three from four career starts. With the Honeymoon's winner's share of $60,000, her lifetime earnings increased to $106,230.
“It's a big relief that she got it done,” said Emmet Jolley, assistant to Thomas. “We were very confident coming into the race today that she would do well, but it was a step up. She did great, (the) distance was the question. Joe said when he got off that she would go further, so lots of options on the table. We will enjoy today and go from there.”
Ridden by Antonio Fresu, Broadway Girls, forwardly placed throughout, was second best on the day, finishing 2¼ lengths in front of race favorite Paris Secret.
Ridden by Juan Hernandez, Irish-bred Paris Secret never threatened for the win or place but outfinished pacesetter Fast and Shiny by a half length for third.
Fractions on the race were :23.47, :47.40, 1:12.12 and 1:35.92.
Selenaia, who was bred by D. G. Iceton, is out of the Declaration of War mare Dettoria. Cataloged in Book 2 of the 2021 Tattersalls October yearling sale and offered by Baroda Stud, she sold to her connections for $121,281.
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