The Baffert-trained Splendora ended a four-race losing streak in graded stakes with a comfortable win in an allowance race for fillies and mares at six furlongs at Del Mar on Thursday.
Ridden by Hernandez, Splendora closed from fourth of seven to win by 3 1/2 lengths, finishing in 1:09.73.
“That was pretty impressive,” Baffert said.
Baffert said in the winner’s circle that he rates Splendora as a candidate for the Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Sprint at Del Mar on Nov. 1.
“We’ll sit down and we’ll think about it,” Baffert said.
Splendora, a 4-year-old filly by Audible, races for By Talla Racing. Splendora, who has won 3 of 8 starts, has kept excellent company in losses in stakes at Santa Anita since last winter.
Last December, Splendora was second to Kopion in the Grade 1 La Brea Stakes at seven furlongs at Santa Anita. In April, she was second to the Baffert-trained Richi in the Grade 2 Santa Maria Stakes at 1 1/16 miles, and lost to another Baffert-trained runner when second to Seismic Beauty in the Grade 2 Santa Margarita Stakes at 1 1/8 miles on May 25.
Splendora was the 4-5 favorite in the Santa Margarita. She paid a mere $3 for her win on Thursday.
Kopion, Richi, and Seismic Beauty are all candidates for the Grade 1 Clement Hirsch Stakes for fillies and mares at 1 1/16 miles at Del Mar on Aug. 2. Those fillies and mares had workouts on Friday.
Kopion, trained by Richard Mandella, was timed in 1:12 for six furlongs, while Richi went the same distance in 1:13. Seismic Beauty worked seven furlongs in 1:24.20.
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