Ooty seeks quick redemption as she goes for the La Canada Stakes at Santa Anita Park

Just days after making her return with a third-place finish in the Las Flores Stakes (G3), the daughter of Dabster will aim to become the third Argentine mare to win that competition

Ooty steps up in distance in pursuit of further improvement / JUAN I. BOZZELLO

ARCADIA, California (Special for Turf Diario).— Argentine and South American racing will have another focal point this Saturday at Santa Anita Park when the talented Ooty takes to the track to compete in the La Canada Stakes (G3). Following an auspicious return, the winner of the 2024 Gran Premio Jorge de Atucha (G1) faces the challenge of distance in a race that promises to be the ideal gauge for her future on the demanding Californian dirt.

The daughter of Dabster, under the tutelage of the legendary Bob Baffert, left an excellent impression in her comeback during the Las Flores Stakes (G3). That afternoon, after a long period of inactivity, the chestnut closed significant ground in the final stretch to secure a very valuable third place over a distance that was clearly too short for her.

Now, in the 1,700 meters of the La Canada, the filly defending the interests of Sheikh Mohammed Bin Khalifa Al Maktoum will find the necessary trip to display the stride that took her to the top of the filly rankings at Palermo. With Brazilian jockey Tiago Pereira in the irons, she will look to capitalize on her physical evolution and prove she is ready for the big leagues.

Of course, it will be no simple task, as Bob Baffert—who is seeking his sixth victory in this race—presents a formidable trio. In addition to Ooty, the Hall of Fame trainer will saddle Brilliantly (Uncle Mo) and Nafisa (Quality Road).

The former is the heavy morning-line favorite (7-5) and is coming off a fourth-place finish in the La Brea Stakes (G1). Although it is her first time going beyond the mile, her class is beyond question. She will be ridden by the inspired Juan Hernández.

Nafisa, meanwhile, arrives with the momentum of two consecutive allowance victories and will be guided by Japanese rider Kazushi Kimura.

Standing in the way of Baffert’s three pupils is So There She Was (Munnings). Trained by Doug O’Neill, the Remington Park Oaks winner is the specialists' second choice (9-5) and will seek to bounce back from her last performance after having shown a high level in the Mother Goose Stakes (G2) in New York.

The field of six is completed by Jane Austen (Tapit), who showed good form recently at Del Mar, and Fugitive Star (Nyquist), arriving from Turf Paradise with high confidence after an allowance win.

The La Canada Stakes (G3), with a $100,000 purse, will be held as the eighth race on the card, at approximately 9:04 PM Argentine time (4:04 PM local time).

Ooty will aim to become the third Argentine mare to lift the trophy, following the triumphs of Lucie Manet (Minera, 1977) and Vale Dori (Asiatic Boy) in 2017—the latter also trained by Baffert and carrying the silks of Sheikh Mohammed Bin Khalifa Al Maktoum.

For Ooty, it is the opportunity to validate the credentials she brought from the Southern Hemisphere and once again elevate the prestige of national breeding. The distance and the race pace will be her allies; we already know she has plenty of talent.