DEL MAR, Calif. - Unraced since Christmastime, Medoro won her first stakes in 15 months with an appealing victory in Sunday’s $109,000 Osunitas Stakes on turf at Del Mar.
Ridden by Umberto Rispoli, Medoro ($7.60) closed from fifth in the final half-mile to win by 1 3/4 lengths over pacesetter Grand Slam Smile.
Medoro is trained by Peter Eurton, who spoke confidently of the filly’s chances earlier in the week. He was further encouraged when he saw Medoro’s behavior in the paddock.
“She was enjoying herself,” he said.
Rispoli had Medoro in fifth place for the first six furlongs, stalking 23-1 Grand Slam Smile through an early pace of 23.05 seconds for the opening quarter-mile and 47.12 for a half-mile. With a four-wide move, Medoro reached the front in the final furlong.
Medoro was timed in 1:34.88 and earned a Beyer Speed Figure of 92, which equals her career best. Medoro was the second betting choice in the Osunitas after her odds dropped from 9-2 when the field was in the gate.
Grand Slam Smile, a five-time stakes winner, finished a half-length in front of 6-1 Lunar Impact, who was second to the final furlong.
Venganza finished fourth, followed by Alpha Bella, Queen Maxima, Raw Ability, Sunset Glory, Nadette, Omnipotent and Quatro Y Vinte.
Queen Maxima, who had won her five previous starts, including three sprint stakes on turf at Santa Anita and Churchill Downs, was the 3-2 favorite. Ridden by Juan Hernandez, Queen Maxima was third to early stretch when she failed to sustain a threat while racing on the inside.
Hernandez said a one-mile race may not have suited Queen Maxima.
“I think her best distance is shorter,” Hernandez said.
Medoro, a 4-year-old filly by Honor Code, races for Lee and Susan Searing’s CRK Stable. Medoro has won 5 of 9 starts and earned $416,600.
Medoro has won four stakes, including the Grade 3 Providencia Stakes for 3-year-old fillies at Santa Anita in April 2024. Last year, she was second in the Grade 1 Del Mar Oaks and third in the Grade 1 American Oaks at Santa Anita on Dec. 26 before she was given a wintertime rest.
“She’s trained so well,” Eurton said. “I think the time off helped a lot.”
Eurton indicated in the winner’s circle that Medoro will be pointed to the Grade 2 John R. Mabee Stakes at 1 1/8 miles on turf at Del Mar on Sept. 6.
The Osunitas was restricted to fillies and mares who had not won a first-place purse of $50,000 or more in a stakes, other than statebred races, at a mile or farther since Oct. 1.
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