Splendora Wins Season Debut in D. Wayne Lukas Stakes

Splendora, the 2025 Breeders' Cup Filly and Mare Sprint (G1) winner at Del Mar, did not miss a beat coming into her 5-year-old season in winning the D. Wayne Lukas Stakes (G2) Feb. 7 at Santa Anita Park. The 7-furlong, $200,500 dirt race for older fillies and mares, formerly known as the Santa Monica Stakes, was renamed beginning this year in honor of the late Hall of Fame trainer, who won the event six times. Splendora is trained by Hall of Famer Bob Baffert, who shared before the race, "D. Wayne Lukas was a good friend who I looked up to. It would be an honor if I could win this race in his name." And that he did. Splendora, an Audible 5-year-old mare, tossed her head at the break and lost a step, but recovered and stalked Me and Molly McGee and Formula Rossa from in between runners. As she passed the quarter pole, she drew alongside the pacesetters and took control at the top of the stretch. She won by 1 3/4 lengths, geared down by jockey Juan Hernandez nearing the wire in a final time of 1:22.09. Fractions in the race were :22.78 and :45.63, set by Me and Molly McGee. "She broke a step slow but she recovered really well," Hernandez said. "Around the three-eighths, she was running off, but she ran on her own today. I was just happy to be aboard her. Bob does an unbelievable job with her. She's nice. She's a push-button." Running for By Talla Racing, Splendora went off as the 2-5 favorite and paid $2.80 for the win. Me and Molly McGee held second, and Formula Rossa was third. Former Lukas trainee Lemon Muffin finished fourth. Splendora earned her sixth victory and fourth in a row and now holds a record of 6-4-0 in 11 starts for earnings of $980,800. Bred in Maryland by The Elkstone Group, she was purchased by Talla Racing and Rockingham Ranch out of the Brookdale Sales consignment to the 2022 Fasig-Tipton Kentucky's The July Sale. "She is such a good filly. She just gives me chills," Baffert said. "She missed the break and got behind, but Juan rode her with a lot of confidence. When I saw that this race was renamed for D. Wayne Lukas, I wanted to win this one. I miss him. I miss talking to him. He would have loved this." El Potente goes back to back in Thunder Road One race earlier, El Potente, a 7-year-old son of Temple City, won the $100,000 Thunder Road Stakes (G3T) for the second year in a row. Trained by Dan Blacker and owned by My Way Racing, he broke sharply and led the field every step of the way. Namaron (GER) raced just off of him through fractions of :22.92, :46.67, and 1:10.20, but El Potente put him away on the far turn as he continued on cruise control. In the stretch drive, El Potente hugged the rail and continued to widen on the field. He crossed the wire 3 3/4 lengths in front under Hector Berrios. "My horse raced perfect," the jockey said. "We went to the lead, but when I felt the pressure from the other horse (Namaron), my horse fought back and was really strong. On the turn, I asked him, and he responded. Coming down the stretch, he just flew." El Potente finished the mile turf race on firm ground in 1:33.49. Gas Me Up was second, while Watsonville held third. He paid $4 to win for a $2 wager as the favorite.