Santa Anita’s Grade 3, $100,000 Las Flores Stakes for fillies and mares saw a thrilling finish on Saturday, January 4, 2025. In a race featuring impressive contenders, Richi, a South American Group 1 winner, triumphed over the odds-on favorite, Pleasant, giving trainer Bob Baffert a perfect exacta finish. The six-furlong race showcased Richi’s rapid improvement and a smart ride by jockey Kazushi Kimura.
Richi’s Dominant Performance
In only her second start in the U.S., Richi delivered a powerful performance. Although she started in third position behind Don’t Bring Crazy and Pleasant, Richi was ready to pounce when the opportunity arose. As the race unfolded, Richi found herself blocked behind other horses, but when the gap opened near the quarter pole, she accelerated quickly, taking control of the race and surging to a 1 1/2-length victory over Pleasant.
Jockey Kazushi Kimura expressed confidence, saying, “I was comfortable right behind them. My horse was ready to go through the gap. When it opened up, she just exploded.” This remarkable acceleration sealed the victory for Richi, who crossed the wire in a sharp 1:09.05.
Baffert’s Successful Day at the Races
Bob Baffert, the Hall of Fame trainer, had an outstanding day at Santa Anita, winning four races on the 10-race card. Besides Richi’s win, Baffert’s day included victories with Barnes in the San Vicente (G2), Rodríguez in the second race, and Mirahmadi in the seventh race.
Baffert’s success on this day wasn’t a fluke. He set the Santa Anita record for wins on a single card by a trainer, with five wins back on December 26, 2022. “It’s nice to have nice horses like this,” Baffert commented. “We are blessed to have the clientele. Sometimes it just works out.”
Race Recap: A Thrilling Finish
The race unfolded with Don’t Bring Crazy setting the early pace, posting fractions of 22.70 and 45.01 seconds. Pleasant, the favorite, was expected to challenge for the win, but Richi’s tactical move in the final stretch proved unstoppable. Despite a strong effort from Pleasant, who was trying to secure her sixth win of the day for jockey Juan Hernández, it was Richi who emerged victorious.
Richi’s journey to this victory has been impressive. She previously finished second in the six-furlong Desert Stormer Stakes in her U.S. debut in June. After a period of adjustment, including the removal of blinkers for the Las Flores, Richi seemed revitalized. Baffert noted that Richi had changed since coming to the U.S., mentioning how she had previously been trained for long-distance races in Chile, which likely wasn’t ideal for her.
Richi’s victory in the Las Flores Stakes marks another impressive achievement in her career. With this win, she increased her record to 7 wins from 9 starts and earned $178,424 in total earnings. For Baffert, this race is just another highlight in a successful career, and with more races to come, both Richi and Pleasant are expected to continue shining on the track.
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