Super Shine Returns to Action in the U.S., Eyes First Stakes Score

The Super Saver filly, a multiple G2 winner at Palermo, will face just three rivals on Sunday in the Desert Stormer Stakes (L) at Santa Anita Park, with Sweet Azteca looming as the main threat

Super Shine at Palermo, where she captured three G2 stakes / JUAN I. BOZZELLO

ARCADIA, California (Special for Turf Diario).- For standout Argentine mare Super Shine, the time has come to make her return to the racetrack as she continues the quest for that elusive first stakes win in the U.S.—a prize she has certainly earned the right to chase.

Away from competition since finishing second in the Tranquility Lake S. (L) at Del Mar on Sept. 2, 2024, the daughter of Super Saver and Sunshine Allie (Southern Halo) is one of just four fillies and mares confirmed for Sunday’s running of the Desert Stormer S. (L) at Santa Anita Park, a $100,000, 1200-meter dirt sprint.

Bred by Haras Firmamento and trained by Phil D'Amato for R Unicorn Stable, Super Shine will be ridden by Chilean jockey Héctor Berríos and has never missed the board since arriving stateside. She was a heartbreaking runner-up in her U.S. debut in the Santa Maria S. (G2), finished a close fourth in the Santa Margarita S. (G2)—her only off-the-board finish—and then placed third in the Great Lady M. S. (G2).

At Palermo, Super Shine was a dominant G2 performer, taking the General Luis María Campos, Juárez Celman, and Bullrich, while also finishing second in a trio of G1 events: the Enrique Acebal, Copa de Plata, and Criadores. She arrives well-prepped, with a string of sharp workouts, including a final Los Alamitos gate drill in 1:00.80 that turned heads.

The challenge on Sunday will be significant, especially in the form of Sweet Azteca (Sharp Azteca), who already defeated Super Shine in the Great Lady M. Trained by Richard Baltas, Sweet Azteca captured the Beholder Mile S.(G1) and Rancho Bernardo H. (G3), and while she hasn’t raced since finishing fourth in the Chillingworth S. (G3) last October, she remains the class of the field.

Also entered is the battle-tested Chismosa (Clubhouse Ride), who won this same race a year ago and boasts a résumé that includes victories in the Las Flores S. (G3) and Betty Grable S. (L), along with multiple stakes placings.

Rounding out the field is Fayette Fox (Sharp Azteca), a two-time allowance winner who was fourth in the most recent Santa Maria S. and placed second in the Arizona Oaks (L) as a 3-year-old.