Santa Maria Stakes: A Fertile Ground for South American mares, With Richi as the Newest Hope

The Chilean mare is a contender for Saturday's race at Santa Anita Park, where she will be joined by Brazilian runner Sun of Hill

Richi Looks to Keep Climbing the Ladder in California / BENOIT PHOTO

By Diego H. Mitagstein

The Santa María Stakes (G2 – 1700 m, dirt, with a US$200,000 purse) stands as one of the U.S. races most frequently won by South American fillies. This Saturday at Santa Anita Park, the ever-iconic event will feature a new edition, with two of our own vying to join that illustrious history, and Chilean standout Richi emerging as a pre-race contender.

Following a valiant effort where she was narrowly overtaken by her teammate Cavalieri (Nyquist) in last month’s Beholder Mile (G1) at the same track, the Practical Joke daughter will be looking to bounce back into the winner’s circle. She will be accompanied by Brazilian representative Sun of Hill (Camelot Kitten), showcasing the top-tier turf talent from this part of the globe.

Under the guidance of Bob Baffert, Richi set a strong pace in the Beholder Mile before being overtaken in the final stages, ultimately finishing with dignity, just three-quarters of a head adrift. In 2025, the dark bay filly began her campaign by winning the Las Flores Stakes (G3) over 1200 meters, before placing third in the Santa Monica Stakes(G2) over 1400 meters—both contests also held at Santa Anita.

Bred by Haras Paso Nevado, Richi established herself at home by capturing the Tanteo de Potrancas (G1) and the Clásico Alberto Solari Magnasco (G1). Currently, she defends the colors of Hill ‘n’ Dale Equine Holdings and Stud Vendaval Inc. Her overall record stands at 13 starts with 7 wins, 4 places, and 1 show, amassing total earnings of US$262,424. Italian jockey Antonio Fresu, who guided her in the Beholder Mile, will once again be in the reins.

Representing the Japanese banner R Unicorn Stable, Sun of Hill will be trained by Phil D’Amato and will be saddled by another Italian rider, Umberto Rispoli. The Brazilian filly, a winner of the Grande Premio Henrique de Toledo Lara (G1) on the Cidade Jardim turf course in São Paulo, will make her sixth start in the United States. Her North American record includes a fourth-place finish in the Osunitas Stakes (Listed), in addition to runs in the CTT and TOC Stakes (Listed) and the Bayakoa Stakes (G3), and she has also recorded two third-place finishes in allowances among her nearest efforts.

Baffert will also enter Splendora (Audible) in the race, marking her first venture at a two-turn distance. During the recent Classic Meet at Santa Anita, she finished second in the La Brea Stakes (G1) over 1400 meters, and subsequently wrapped up her effort with a fourth-place finish in the Santa Monica Stakes (G2), always competing in sprint distances.

Boasting a brief yet consistent campaign of five starts with 2 wins, 2 seconds, and total earnings of US$150,400, Splendora will carry the colors of By Talla Racing LLC. She will be ridden by Juan Hernández, who led the statistics at the Classic Meet.

Another contender in the field is Ultimate Authority (Practical Joke), who dropped a notch in class after finishing last in the Beholder Mile. Trained by Tim Yakteen, the filly will be aiming for her first Grade 1 victory. Prior to the setback in the G1, she had won a top-level conditional race on January 19 at Santa Anita over a mile. With a record of 7 starts: 2 wins, 2 places, and no shows, accumulating US$109,760 in earnings, Ultimate Authority represents the interests of Leslie A. Amestoy, Pierre Jean Amestoy, and Roger K. Beasley, and she will be making her debut under the guidance of Kazushi Kimura.

Completing the entry is Lisa’s Nonno (Jimmy Creed), making his debut at the graded level. Under the care of Mark Glatt and owned by Double L Racing, the colt returned to action on February 28 after nearly eight months of layoff, winning a conditional race over a mile by a head. With a record of 8 starts: 2 wins, 2 places, and 2 shows, and total earnings of US$128,740, Lisa’s Nonno will be ridden for the first time by Abel Lezcano.

Historically, the Santa María Stakes has seen victories by Argentine fillies such as Kankam (Minera II, 1980), Mausie (Mariache, 1988), Bayakoa (Consultant's Bid, 1990), Paseana (Ahmad, 1992), Lovellón (Potrillón, 2001), Star Parade (Parade Marshal, 2004 and 2006), Miss Loren (Numerous, 2005), and Vale Dori (Asiatic Boy, 2017); by Chilean fillies Miss Brio (Semenenko, 1989) and India Divina (Roy, 1999); and by the Brazilian filly Great Hot(Orientate, 2013).