Charmaine’s Mia Stretches Out Strongly In Buena Vista

ARCADIA, CA – Agave Racing Stable and Rockin Robin Racing Stables’ Charmaine’s Mia stretched out strongly to win Saturday’s $200,000 Buena Vista Stakes (G2) at Santa Anita Park.

Charmaine’s Mia and red-hot jockey Flavien Prat broke from post 8 as the 6/5 favorite and sat a close pressing trip outside the rail-breaking Bohemian Bourbon early, then took over near the 1/4 pole and prevailed.

The win was her second straight since joining Phil D’Amato’s southern California barn after racing exclusively at Woodbine and Gulfstream Park the past 3 years.

“She’s really fast out of the gate and I wanted to be on the lead, but (Bohemian Bourbon) was pulling very hard, so we were second, which was a good place to be,” Prat said after riding her in a race for the first time. “When we made the lead at the 1/4 pole, she got a good breather, and from there, she finished really well.”

The 7/2 second choice Mucho Unusual closed well but ultimately settled for second, 3/4 of a length over fellow California-bred Warren’s Showtime.

Going to Vegas, Red Lark, Sloane Garden, Heathers Grey, Bohemian Bourbon, and Sedamar completed the order of finish.

Nasty was scratched.

Charmaine’s Mia’s win was her first in a route and came in just her second try at two turns in a 27-race career that includes 6 wins, 4 seconds, and 2 thirds. The 5-year-old daughter of The Factor, who won the 6-furlong Las Cienegas Stakes (G3) in her D’Amato debut, has now earned $352,976 lifetime.

“Flavien said there’s more in the tank,” D’Amato said, who also praised her 71-year-old groom Ricardo Mejia as part of the reason for her immediate success in California. “She rated nice. If she needed to go a little further, it wasn’t a problem, so that definitely broadens her horizons and maybe has us starting to look at Grade 1s.”

Charmaine’s Mia returned $4.60 to win, $3 to place, and $2.40 to show. Mucho Unusual brought back $4.20 to place and $3 to show. Warren’s Showtime paid $3.40 to show.