Being the least experienced of the field ultimately proved to be no problem for Cavalieri (Nyquist) as she gamely turned away all challengers to claim the GIII La Canada Stakes.
A winner by two lengths on debut Aug. 29 at Del Mar last year, she took a field of optional claimers gate to wire Oct. 12 at Santa Anita by 3 1/2 lengths before going on the shelf until this 4-year-old bow.
Sent off here as the even-money favorite, she contested the pace issue with MGSW Chatalas (Gun Runner) through :23.69 and :47.33 early splits. Losing command entering the far turn, she fought back to a slim lead with a quarter mile to race and had put away that challenger entering the lane. In the clear but bracing for the challenge of GSW Alpha Bella (Justify) in deep stretch, Cavalieri denied that one as well and kicked on to win by 1 1/2 lengths. MSW Big Hug (Mr. Big) came in a long way back in third.
“Coming into the race, with the way she has been training, we knew we were going to have fun with her,” said Bob Baffert. “She is maturing, and she is a big, beautiful stout mare. If we can keep her healthy, we will have a lot of fun with her this year.”
“It was a big step up for her running against some nice fillies and she handled it well, took a lot of pressure and kept going. I think she is going to improve off of this, the big strong mare that she is.”
Baffert continued, “It is great to have these big mares and the clientele. Peter Fluor and Speedway Stables they have been great, sending me these good horses, so I'm very happy about it. We have a great team.”
Pedigree Notes:
The most recent to earn black type for her dam behind elder half-sister GSW Affirmative Lady (Arrogate), the victress has a 2-year-old half-sister by Connect as well as a yearling half-brother by Mandaloun. Stiffed, a multiple Listed winning half-sister to MSW Speaking (Mr Spearker) and MSW Sea Streak (Sea Wizard), is due to Elite Power for 2025. A full-sister to the dam produced SW & MGSP Great Navigator (Sea Wizard) while a half-sister produced SW & GSP Riding Pretty (Jack Milton).
Sunday, Santa Anita Park
LA CANADA S.-GIII, $100,500, Santa Anita, 1-19, 4yo/up, f/m, 1 1/16m, 1:44.15, ft.
1–CAVALIERI, 120, f, 4, by Nyquist
1st Dam: Stiffed (MSW & MGSP, $256,559),
by Stephen Got Even
2nd Dam: High Noon Nellie, by Silver Deputy
3rd Dam: Full and Fancy, by Marfa
1ST BLACK TYPE WIN, 1ST GRADED STAKES WIN. ($170,000 Ylg '22 KEESEP; $900,000 2yo '23 OBSAPR). O-Speedway Stables LLC; B-Alastar Thoroughbred Co, LLC (KY); T-Bob Baffert; J-Juan J. Hernandez. $60,000. Lifetime Record: 3-3-0-0, $138,000. *1/2 to Affirmative Lady (Arrogate), GSW, $284,435. Werk Nick Rating: A+++. *Triple Plus* Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree. Click for the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.
2–Alpha Bella, 124, m, 5, Justify–Andina (Ire), by Singspiel (Ire). O/B-Don Alberto Corporation (KY); T-John W. Sadler. $20,000.
3–Big Hug, 122, m, 5, Mr. Big–Temeeku, by Unusual Heat. 1ST GRADED BLACK TYPE. (C$3,500 Ylg '21 ALBMIX). O-Richard W. Hedge and Lori Lynn Neyka; B-Chalet Stable (AB); T-Val Brinkerhoff. $12,000.
Margins: 1HF, 4 3/4, 4 1/4. Odds: 1.00, 1.70, 19.90.
Also Ran: Chatalas, Che Evasora (Arg), Musical Mischief.
Click for the Equibase.com chart and the TJCIS.com PPs. VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV.
Undefeated #6 CAVALIERI ($4.00) wins the $100,000 La Canada Stakes (G3) under @JJHernandezS19. Congratulations to the @BobBaffert stable and owner Speedway Stables.
Another graded stakes winner by @DarleyAmerica's Nyquist.The $100,000 Las Cienegas Stakes (G3) is next! pic.twitter.com/Ubl3Ap7Q5F
— FanDuel Racing (@FanDuel_Racing) January 19, 2025
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