ARCADIA, Calif. - Queen Maxima ran a career-best race with a comprehensive victory by 3 1/2 lengths in the Grade 3 Unbridled Sidney Stakes for fillies and mares at Churchill Downs on May 2.
The $178,560 winner’s share of the $329,500 purse will come in handy this summer for owners Dutch Girl Holdings and Irving Ventures. The Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint at Del Mar on Nov. 1 is a long-range goal. To be eligible, Queen Maxima must be supplemented to the Breeders’ Cup program. The most economical avenue is a $50,000 fee for horses of racing age due July 15.
On Saturday, trainer Jeff Mullins emphasized that the BC Turf Sprint at five furlongs is a possibility.
“We hope so,” Mullins said. “It’s a long way away.”
Queen Maxima has won her last five starts, and is unbeaten in four starts this year, including two stakes wins on turf at Santa Anita – the restricted Wishing Well Stakes at six furlongs on Feb. 22 and the Grade 3 Monrovia Stakes at about 6 1/2 furlongs on the hillside course on April 5.
:: Santa Anita Clocker Reports are available every race day. Access now.
In the Unbridled Sidney Stakes, Queen Maxima started from the outside post in a field of nine. She closed from fourth to take the lead with slightly more than a furlong remaining.
Queen Maxima has won 6 of 9 starts.
“I’ve been telling everybody all along she’s for real,” Mullins said.
Mullins did not state an immediate race goal for Queen Maxima, a 4-year-old by Bucchero. One race that could enter discussions is the Grade 3 Green Flash Handicap against males at five furlongs on turf at Del Mar on Aug. 30. The winner of the $150,000 race receives a fees-paid berth to the BC Turf Sprint.
Mullins was back in California on Saturday to saddle Spotted Haze to a win in an allowance race for California-bred 3-year-old fillies at 5 1/2 furlongs. Ridden by Reylu Gutierrez, Spotted Haze stalked Fibonaccis Ride to the final furlong before winning by three-quarters of a length.
Spotted Haze has won 2 of 3 starts, beginning with a $50,000 claiming race for statebred maiden fillies in January. Mullins wanted Spotted Haze to race as a stalker on Saturday.
“She had showed a ton of speed,” Mullins said. “I asked Reylu to settle her and not get in a fight for the lead. He did a fantastic job.”
Spotted Haze, who races for Jay and Julie Manoogian, could run in stakes for statebred 3-year-old fillies this summer, such as the $150,000 Real Good Deal Stakes at seven furlongs at Del Mar on Aug. 1.
Fines for Knapp and O'Neill
Trainers Steve Knapp and Doug O’Neill were recently fined by Santa Anita stewards for infractions related to disorderly conduct or failure to keep records of veterinary exams.
Knapp was cited for “unwanted behavior toward a frontside employee” at the 2024 Del Mar summer meeting and fined $3,500, according to a ruling published on Sunday by stewards Grant Baker, Luis Jauregui and Kim Sawyer.
The incident allegedly involved a server, according to a complaint filed by the California Horse Racing Board in November.
In their ruling, the stewards ordered Knapp to be evaluated by the Winners Foundation and abide by the terms set forth by that counseling organization, which works specifically with people in California racing.
O’Neill was fined $2,500. According to a complaint filed last July, O’Neill was cited for 56 counts of failing to gain clearance for workouts by a veterinarian between June 1 and July 14 last year.
:: Want to learn more about handicapping and wagering? Check out DRF's Handicapping 101 and Wagering 101 pages.