Ooty seeks to bounce back in a revamped Las Flores Stakes

The daughter of Dabster aims to become the second Argentine-bred mare to capture the event, following in the footsteps of Miss Terrible in 2005

Ooty set to finally take the track at Santa Anita Park / JUAN I. BOZZELLO

ARCADIA, California.— Only one Argentine-bred mare has ever captured the Las Flores Stakes (G3-1200m, dirt, $100,000) at Santa Anita Park: the unforgettable champion Miss Terrible (Numerous) in 2005. This Sunday, Ooty will attempt to secure a second victory for her country in an event that was rescheduled due to heavy rains that forced multiple cancellations last week in Southern California. The delay allowed for a revamped and bolstered field, with the late additions of Maru (Blame), Donttellourwives (Khozan), and No Bad Beats (Midnight Storm).

Following in the hoofprints of last year’s Chilean heroine Richi (Practical Joke), the Las Flores marks the return to action for the daughter of Dabster, who has been sidelined since a disappointing effort in the Tranquility Lake Stakes (L) on Sept. 1. That followed a promising stateside debut where she finished second in an allowance, with both starts coming at Del Mar. The chestnut, who will have the services of Juan Hernandez, was the winner of the 2024 Gran Premio Jorge de Atucha (G1) at Palermo and is conditioned by Bob Baffert, the winningest trainer in the history of this race with six previous trophies.

Ooty enters the engagement on the back of a solid workout tab, including recent breezes of five furlongs in 1:01.20, 1:00.40, and 1:00.80, capped by a sharp six-furlong move in 1:12.20. Owned by Sheikh Mohammed Bin Khalifa Al Maktoum, she will face Magnificat (Omaha Beach) from the Richard Mandella barn, who steps into stakes company after winning two of three career starts. Also in the mix are Margarita Girl (Twirling Candy), coming off a maiden-breaking score, and the more experienced Thermal (Nyquist). Conditioned by John Sadler, Thermal boasts two wins and a solid third in the Zadracarta Stakes (L) at Woodbine and will have Chilean pilot Hector Berrios in the irons. For a G3 event, this presents a prime opportunity for Ooty to rewrite her North American story, finding the Las Flores Stakesan excellent starting point for her sprinting campaign.