Kentucky Oaks 2023 Las Virgenes Stakes Replay | Faiza Wins Kentucky Oaks Prep But Earns 0 Points For Baffert January 28, 2023 Lindsay Affleck Kentucky Oaks 2023 Las Virgenes Stakes Replay | Faiza Wins Kentucky Oaks Prep But Earns 0 Points For Baffert January 28, 2023 By: Curtis "Magic" Kalleward twitteremail Share: share on facebook share on twitter share on linkedin email this article Faiza won the 2023 Las Virgenes Stakes (G3) at Santa Anita Park. Though the race was a prep for the 2023 Kentucky Oaks (G1), Faiza earned 0 points due to trainer Bob Baffert’s current suspension, but is she still a top threat to win big on the 1st Friday of May? Tell us YOUR thoughts in the Comments section! SMASH the *Thumbs Up* ~ HIT *Subscribe* ~ RING the *Notification* bell The track press release: Off as the solid even money favorite, Bob Baffert’s Faiza saved ground early and took command a quarter mile from home en route to a half length score over Pride of the Nile in Saturday’s Grade III, $200,000 Las Virgenes Stakes at Santa Anita. Ridden by Ramon Vazquez, Faiza remained unbeaten in three starts while getting a flat mile in 1:38.46. Attentive to the pace, Faiza, a $725,000 2-year-old in training sale purchase last May, was third, 1 ¾ lengths behind pacesetter Sweet Trouble three furlongs from home and was all-out to hold off the late charge of the Doug O’Neill-trained Pride of the Nile who was gaining ground wide-out. Idle since taking the Grade I Starlet Stakes going 1 1/16 miles at Los Alamitos Dec. 10, Faiza, in a field of six sophomore fillies, paid $4.00, $2.60 and $2.10. “I’d like to thank Bob Baffert and the owner for the opportunity and support,” said Vazquez, who was aboard Faiza for the first time today with regular rider Flavien Prat away to ride today at Oaklawn Park. “I wanted to get out in the clear and put my filly in a good position. She’s a nice filly, when I asked her, she responded really well. She’s amazing.” Owned by Michael Lund Petersen, Faiza is by Girvin out of the Smart Strike mare Sweet Pistol. With the winner’s share of $120,000, she increased her earnings to $342,000. 2024 Kentucky Oaks A close fourth around the far turn, Pride of the Nile, with Juan Hernandez up, split horses a quarter mile out and despite lugging in some late, finished like a filly that will appreciate added distance. Second to Faiza in the Starlet, Pride of the Nile was off at 7-2 and paid $3.40 and $2.60. Customarily far back early, Justique rallied from last but never threatened the top two while finishing third, 2 ½ lengths behind Pride of the Nile. The second choice at 2-1, Justique, with Victor Espinoza up, paid $2.40 to show. Fractions on the Las Virgenes were 22.41, 47.04, 1:11.92 and 1:25.12. Join the Inner Circle Sign up for exclusive 10% discount on orders, plus be the first to access our daily free and premium horse racing picks, articles, podcasts, and more! Sign Up
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