Racing Dudes Three Stars of the Week: Sun Shines Bright on Both Coasts

A rare January weekend of good weather on both coasts helped produce strong action at Gulfstream Park and Santa Anita Park. Here’s who made our latest Three Stars of the Week:

1. Sanenus

Already a G1 winner in her native Chile, she finally broke through for her first North American score in Saturday’s La Canada Stakes (G3). Not only did she win by an eye-popping 6 lengths, she soundly defeated Grade 1 winners Hard Not to Love and Fighting Mad like they were nothing. The Michael McCarthy trainee stamped herself as a legit contender in the west coast’s dirt distaff division.

2. Ride a Comet

The feel-good story of Ride a Comet’s return continued Saturday as he won the Tropical Turf Stakes (G3) at Gulfstream Park. That now marks 4 straight victories dating back to the 2018 Del Mar Derby (G2), which was his last start for 25 months before he returned last fall. He may head to the Pegasus World Cup Turf (G1) next, if his connections don’t mind the short 2-week turnaround.

3. Charmaine’s Mia

After racing at Woodbine and Gulfstream Park throughout her entire career, Charmaine’s Mia showed her love for her new digs out west as she upset Saturday’s Las Cienegas Stakes (G3) at Santa Anita Park. Now with trainer Phil D’Amato, she defeated several extremely talented turf sprinters, including defending champion Jolie Olimpica and Grade 1 winner Oleksandra (who clipped heels with a rival near the start and lost her jockey). She should be a major player this year.