Queen Sienna faces a tough challenge in the Santa Ana Stakes at Santa Anita Park
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With Víctor Espinoza in the irons, the mare of Las Monjitas faces 10 rivals this Sunday over 2000 meters on the turf
ARCADIA, California—In a weekend featuring strong action for South American horses in the United States, Queen Sienna faces a difficult objective this Sunday in the Santa Ana Stakes (G3-2000m, turf, US$ 100,000 purse) at Santa Anita Park.
The Argentine mare, who previously campaigned in Peru, is coming off her first local victory in an allowance race and now steps up significantly in class. Starting from post 2, carrying 122 pounds with Víctor Espinoza in the irons, the daughter of Fortify—owned by Stud Las Monjitas and trained by Chilean Marcelo Polanco—will face 10 highly demanding rivals.
The standout Mrs. Astor, one of the top turf stayers in California in recent seasons, seeks to further expand her notable campaign and appears as the top candidate for victory.
A six-time stakes winner, including four graded scores, the daughter of Lookin at Lucky began her 6-year-old season in the best possible way by capturing the Astra Stakes (L) in January, prevailing by a nose in an electrifying finish.
That victory confirmed the immense consistency of the Jonathan Thomas trainee, who enjoyed another outstanding campaign in 2025. Last year, she secured the Red Carpet Stakes (G3) at Del Mar, added the Possibly Perfect Stakes(L) and the Santa Barbara Stakes (L) at Santa Anita, and eventually finished second in the Santa Ana, the very race she now attempts to conquer.
Her stakes production had already been solidifying since 2024, a season in which she achieved her first Red Carpet Stakes (G3) and the Robert J. Frankel Stakes (G3), consistently displaying great capacity for long distances on the grass. Owned and bred by Augustin Stable, Mrs. Astor boasts a solid record of 22 starts with 8 wins, 5 seconds, and 4 thirds, accumulating US$ 627,235 in earnings. For this appearance, she will have a new rider, as Umberto Rispoli is sidelined by injury. In his place will be fellow Italian Antonio Fresu, who will guide her for the first time.
Paradise Lake (Uncle Mo), who has already proven to be on par with the favorite in previous encounters, will also be extremely tough. In last November's Red Carpet Stakes, contested over 2200 meters, the Peter Eurton pupil finished just 1 3/4 lengths behind Mrs. Astor, a performance that made her potential in staying tests clear.
Partial revenge arrived in January when Paradise Lake claimed the 2026 edition of the Robert J. Frankel Stakes over 1800 meters, achieving a narrow nose victory. That afternoon, she defeated Starry Night (Justify), another protagonist who returns for the Santa Ana. Owned by C R K Stable, Paradise Lake has a record of 11 starts with 4 wins, 1 second, and 4 thirds, totaling US$ 228,000 in earnings. On this occasion, she will once again have the services of Juan Hernández, the leading rider at Santa Anita, who was aboard for her Frankel victory.
The trio of top contenders is completed by the aforementioned Starry Night, who came very close to an upset in the Frankel Stakes during her stakes debut. The daughter of Justify, also trained by Jonathan Thomas, set the pace from the start that afternoon and fought bravely until the final strides, where she was ultimately overtaken by the late charge of Paradise Lake. Owned by X-Men Racing, Madaket Stables, and SF Racing, the 4-year-old will again have Ricky González in the irons.
A tough task awaits Queen Sienna as she finishes acclimating to the United States, but her inherent talent demands attention regardless of the opposition.
