Usha Graduates in Style with a Devastating Performance in the La Brea Stakes

The filly took a decisive step forward at Santa Anita Park, sealing her first Grade I victory with emphatic authority

Usha Had No Trouble Shining at Santa Anita Park / BENOIT PHOTO

ARCADIA, CA—Usha put any lingering doubts to rest Sunday at Santa Anita Park, delivering a polished and authoritative performance to capture the G1 La Brea S. over seven furlongs. With a decisive late surge, the daughter of Tiz the Law sealed her first Grade I success and announced herself as a serious force within her division.

Ridden with confidence by Juan Hernandez, Usha broke alertly before settling comfortably midpack down the backstretch. Patiently handled, she found clear running approaching the quarter pole and, once turned loose, produced a powerful turn of foot that quickly separated her from the field. She drew off with authority to score by 5 1/4 lengths, never seriously challenged in the lane.

Formula Rossa (Vekoma), the Mark Glatt trainee partnered by Mike Smith, finished second, while Simply Joking (Practical Joke) completed the trifecta. Brilliantly (Uncle Mo) rounded out the superfecta. The final time of 1:21.68 reflected a strong overall effort following fractions of :21.85, :44.43, and 1:09.38.

“She’s a really good filly,” Hernandez said. “She can get a little keyed up before the race, but today she was very relaxed. The team did a great job keeping her calm, and everything worked out perfectly.”

Trainer Bob Baffert echoed that sentiment, noting the importance of the setting. “She showed up today,” he said. “At Keeneland, things unraveled in the paddock. Back here, in her comfort zone, she did exactly what we thought she could do. Juan knows her well—I didn’t have to say much.”

Owned by the familiar partnership of Michael Pegram, Karl Watson, and Paul Weitman, Usha was purchased for $600,000 at the OBS April sale. Bred in New York, she is out of Animal Appeal, a stakes-placed daughter of Leroidesanimaux, a pedigree blending speed and class that finally came together at the top level.

Her path to the summit required patience. Winless in four starts at two, Usha returned from a nine-month layoff with a runaway allowance victory at Del Mar, then finished seventh in the G2 Raven Run at Keeneland. Sunday’s La Brea marked the full realization of her ability, improving her record to 3 wins from 8 starts with earnings of $328,350.

With a composed, professional Grade I performance now on her résumé, Usha has not only arrived at the elite level—she has firmly established herself there.