Even-money favorite Shantisara chased pacesetter Scotish Star throughout the $200,000 Hillsborough (G3) for older fillies and mares Saturday at Tampa Bay Downs, then dueled that rival in early stretch before edging away late for a 1¼-length triumph.
A 4-year-old Clousty mare bred in Ireland, Shantisara was winning for the sixth time in 13 career starts and snapped a three-race winless skein dating from her victory in the Queen Elizabeth Challenge Cup (G1) last October at Keeneland.
Coming into the Hillsborough off a runner-up finish in the Pegasus World Cup Filly & Mare Turf (G3) Jan. 28, Shantisara was ridden by Irad Ortiz Jr. for trainer Chad Brown and covered the 1 1/16-mile turf contest in a quick 1:47.14 on a course rated as firm. The time was just .88 slower than the stakes record of 1:46.26 set by Tepin in the 2016 edition of the race.
Scotish Star held on for second, while Surprisingly was neck back in third in the field seven older fillies and mares.
Shantisara, who is out of the Dalakhani mare Kharana, is campaigned by Madaket Stables, Michael Dubb, and Robert V. LaPenta. She returned $4 for the win and provided Brown a sixth Hillsborough victory.
Hillsborough Stakes Quotes
Winning trainer Chad Brown: “I was really proud of Shantisara. With the slower pace, after she put herself closer, Irad really navigated her around the track perfectly. It was an expert ride and a top performance from this filly, so I am happy to have her back. If we can keep this horse healthy, I'm pretty confident she can be one of the leaders in her division. The proof was her getting close to the stakes record of Tepin .
On winning the race for the sixth time: “Hats off to all the horses through the years. They have my appreciation. Much appreciation to my team as well. Many of them have been with me through all six wins and are still with me. The credit really goes to them.”
Winning jockey Irad Ortiz Jr:: “Perfect. I had a beautiful trip. There was only one horse (Scotish Star) with speed outside of me and I just wanted to break good and try to follow her, because I knew she was going to be on the lead. Last time (a second-place finish in a Grade 3 stakes at Gulfstream) she was coming off a layoff and she had a slow pace to run at and they went too slow maybe for me. She still came running at the end, so I really liked her coming into this race. I really liked her today and so did (trainer Chad Brown). And I knew it would be real easy fractions in front, so I just wanted to be close because I knew (Scotish Star) could steal the race if I didn't jump in there early. At the three-eighths pole it was time to roll, because the fractions were slow, and at the quarter pole I asked her to go and she responded really well.”
Winning co-owner Robert V. LaPenta: “I thought she was great. This is what we expect of her. She had a couple of hiccups along the way, but she was ready to go today. One step at a time – you know what this game is. Chad is beyond comprehension. He really is. This one could be any kind – like (2019 Breeders' Cup Mile winner) Uni, maybe.”
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