Toupie, a talented 4-year-old filly, showed her impressive skills once again by winning the Grade 3, $100,000 Las Ciénegas Stakes at Santa Anita. This marked her second major victory on Santa Anita’s unique hillside turf course, solidifying her reputation as a top contender in the racing world.
Toupie’s Impressive Win
In Sunday’s race, Toupie led from start to finish, displaying her speed and control. With jockey Flavien Prat guiding her, she clocked comfortable fractions of 22.39 seconds for the first quarter-mile, 44.72 seconds at the half, and 1:07.09 for three-quarters. She crossed the finish line at 1:12.97 for about 6 ½ furlongs, winning by an impressive 2 1/4 lengths as the even-money favorite.
Prat, who also rode Toupie in her earlier win in the Unzip Me Stakes, praised her performance: “She is just talented. Graham [Motion] has done a great job with her. She relaxed well today.”
The Competition
Anywho, a 20-1 long shot trained by John Sadler and ridden by Héctor Berrios, finished second by a neck. Nadette, guided by Juan Hernández, came in third, while Miss Lizzy followed closely in fourth. Despite the competition, Toupie proved too strong, paying out $4.20, $3.00, and $2.40 for those who bet on her.
A Rising Star
Bred by Alain and Gérard Wertheimer, Toupie is a 4-year-old filly by Nyquist. Her success at Santa Anita comes as no surprise, considering her previous victory in the Unzip Me Stakes last September. Between these wins, she finished fourth in the Autumn Days Stakes at Aqueduct, showing consistency even against strong fields.
Postponement Due to Wildfires
The Las Ciénegas was initially scheduled for the prior weekend but was delayed due to wildfires and poor air quality in California. Despite this disruption, Toupie’s performance proved worth the wait, leaving fans and bettors thrilled.
Toupie’s victory in the Las Ciénegas highlights her remarkable talent and adaptability. Her ability to excel on Santa Anita’s challenging hillside course underscores her strength as a competitor. With a skilled team led by trainer Graham Motion and jockey Flavien Prat, Toupie’s future in racing looks bright. Keep an eye on this filly as she continues to make her mark in stakes races across the country.
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