Ooty Couldn’t Keep Up in the Tranquility Lake Stakes at Del Mar

After a Promising U.S. Debut, the Argentine Filly Finished Last, 31 Lengths Behind Splendora

Splendora Delivered as Expected / BENOIT PHOTO

DEL MAR, California (Special para Turf Diario).- The anticipated step forward for Ooty in her second U.S. outing never materialized. The Dabster filly, owned by Sheikh Mohammed Bin Khalifa Al Maktoum, finished last in Monday’s Tranquility Lake Stakes (L) over one mile on Del Mar’s dirt, trailing the winner Splendora by 31 lengths, as the favorite cruised to a commanding victory.

Winner of the Gran Premio Jorge de Atucha (G1) in Palermo in 2024, Ooty made her U.S. debut just over a month ago in an optional claiming allowance at Del Mar, where she showed encouraging signs finishing second to Splendora. With that performance in mind, Monday’s race seemed an ideal measure of her potential on American soil—but the reality was that the chestnut filly never found her rhythm or comfort during the race.

The outcome was essentially decided from the start. Splendora, ridden by Juan Hernández, went straight to the lead, posting opening fractions of 22.38 for the first quarter and 46.10 for the half-mile, maintaining complete control without any real challenge. When One Magic Philly (Good Magic) tried to mount a late bid under Antonio Fresu, the favorite responded effortlessly, drawing away without needing to be asked, cementing her status as an emerging filly of note.

For Splendora, by Audible, this marked her first graded-level victory after three valuable runner-up finishes: second to Kopion (Omaha Beach) in last year’s La Brea Stakes (G1), and runner-up again in this season’s Santa Maria Stakes (G2) and Santa Margarita Stakes (G2).

Brazilian contender Sun of Hill (Camelot Kitten), the other South American representative in the race, finished fourth, 13 3/4 lengths behind the winner, without making a significant impact.

For Ooty, it will be a matter of regrouping—perhaps with shorter distances in mind—to try and regain momentum.