For a record sixth time, Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert won the La Canada Stakes (G3), this time taking the $100,500 race with the much-improved 5-year-old Nafisa Jan. 24 at Santa Anita Park
After the break in the 1 1/16-mile race, under jockey Kazushi Kimura, she raced second off her stablemate and post-time favorite Brilliantly, stalking the pace. On the turn for home, she made her move for the lead, and in the stretch put away Brilliantly, who faded to third. She found another gear to hold off a late run from longshot Jane Austen and win by 4 3/4 lengths.
Nafisa ($6.60) completed the 1 1/16 miles in 1.44.77 on a fast track after splits of :23.65, :47.34, and 1:11.47 set by Brilliantly.
Kimura guided Nafisa to her third victory in a row. "She was already cruising from the three-eighths (pole). It was great," the rider said.
Nafisa races for Zedan Racing Stables, whose bloodstock agent Donato Lanni bought her for $1.8 million at Fasig-Tipton's The Saratoga Sale in 2022 in New York
The daughter of Lane's End stallion Quality Road , bred in Kentucky by Mt. Brilliant Farm & Ranch and W. S. Farish out of the Bluegrass Cat mare Ithinkisawapudycat, began her career 0-for-12 before her recent hot streak.
"She wants to go long on dirt," Baffert said. "I was bringing her back a little quick today; she was getting excited in the paddock. It's nice to get a stakes win."
