Ooty Faces Stepped-Up Challenge in Del Mar’s Tranquility Lake Stakes
- Turf Diario
- 4 hours ago
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The Dabster filly squares off again on Monday with Splendora, who last bested her easily in an allowance race during her U.S. debut
DEL MAR, California (Special for Turf Diario).- Argentine filly Ooty faces a new challenge on Monday at Del Mar in the Tranquility Lake Stakes ($100,000), a one-mile dirt test for fillies three years old and up, and one of the feature races of the Labor Day holiday card in the U.S.
Racing in the silks of Sheikh Mohammed bin Khalifa Al Maktoum, the Dabster filly earned her shot at this level following a promising U.S. debut. In late July at Del Mar, she finished second in a second-level allowance behind stablemate Splendora (Audible). That performance inspired confidence in Bob Baffert, who didn’t hesitate to step her up to stakes company in just her second U.S. start.
“We know Ooty has talent and is still adapting. She looked good in her debut, and we believe she can take a step forward,” said the Baffert team. The Argentine brings significant credentials from South America: she captured the G1 Gran Premio Jorge de Atucha at Palermo in May 2024, establishing herself as one of the leading fillies of her generation before being exported to the U.S.
The competition at Del Mar will not be easy. Baffert also sends out two other top contenders, including the aforementioned Splendora (8/5), who not only defeated Ooty in her debut but also boasts strong stakes form this year, including runner-up finishes in the G2 Santa Maria Stakes and G2 Santa Margarita Stakes.
The trainer’s third entrant is Nothing Like You (Malibu Moon), 2024 Santa Anita Oaks (G2) winner and second in the Torrey Pines (G3), although recent efforts—two fourth-place finishes well off the winner—raise questions.
Another strong contingent comes from Philip D’Amato, who fields the speedy One Magic Philly (Good Magic), winner of the Chillingworth Stakes (G3) in 2024 and sixth in the Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Sprint (G1), and Brazilian import Sun of Hill (Camelot Kitten), still seeking her first U.S. win but who ran well in April when finishing second to top company in the Royal Heroine (G3).
Rounding out the field is Sugar Fish (Accelerate), a proven stakes performer returning from a long layoff with strong prior credentials, including wins in the G2 Summertime Oaks and G2 Zenyatta Stakes.
Ooty will break from post 3 with Drayden Van Dyke aboard and goes off at 8/1, a reflection of both her potential and the depth of the field.
The Tranquility Lake Stakes will be the eighth race on the 11-race card, scheduled for 5 p.m. local time in California (9 p.m. in Argentina).
The card also offers another attraction for Argentine racing fans: the return of champion Full Serrano (Full Mast), who will reappear in a special allowance after several months on the sidelines.
