Team Valor International and Gary Barber’s Wakanaka seeks new beginnings as a full field of 11 go about 6 1/2 furlongs in the $100,000 Las Cienegas Stakes (G3T) on the downhill turf course at Santa Anita Park Jan. 14.
Bred by Jean Brennan, Wakanaka was a group 3 winner in Europe before being transferred to the barn of Hall of Famer Bill Mott ahead of the 2022 season. With Mott that year, she won the Dance Smartly Stakes (G2T) at Woodbine and was grade 1-placed.
In 2023, the daughter of Power added another grade 1 placing but never reached the winner’s circle. Ending the year with her California debut in the $300,000 Matriarch Stakes (G1T) at Del Mar, she ran a disappointing 11th after trailing the field of 12 for the majority of the race and was beaten 5 1/2 lengths.
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Staying in California, the 6-year-old mare has been switched to trainer Michael McCarthy. She attempts to close the gap on $1 million in earnings, currently sitting just above $900,000. Joel Rosario has the mount.
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Team Valor also owns Nadette in post 3. Trainer Neil Drysdale sends out the daughter of Outstrip for her first race under a mile in the United States.
Little Red Feather Racing Duo
Matching Team Valor’s pair will be a pair of 5-year-old mares from Little Red Feather Racing, Elm Drive and Benedict Canyon .
Elm Drive also exits the Matriarch, finishing seventh and beaten three lengths while posting a career-best 107 Equibase Speed Figure. Flavien Prat will be aboard the daughter of Mohaymen as she shortens back in distance on a course where she’s won and ran second in two starts, including a victory in the listed Mizdirection Stakes.
Elm Drive will start from post 9 with stakes-placed stablemate Benedict Canyon beside her in post 8.
Both fillies are trained by Phil D’Amato, who also trains Bakster Farm and Gerald Isbister’s Honey Pants from post 2 and the lone also-eligible in the field, Adaay In Asia .
Rounding Out the Field
- Kissed by Fire , who rides a three-race win streak for Peter Eurton and Mike Smith;
- Fast and Shiny , who has won and placed in listed stakes on the downhill turf course for Bob Baffert and Drayden Van Dyke;
- Anthonys Cleopatra , who won the California Oaks at Golden Gate Fields but is winless in three starts on turf.
The Las Cienegas will go off as the seventh race with a post time of 3:30 p.m. PT.
Santa Anita Park, Sunday, January 14, 2024, Race 7Entries: Las Cienegas S. (G3T)
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