The betting public wagered that the Anoakia Stakes would be a return to winning form for Himika (Curlin), and she gave them no reason to worry in the lane as she powered home with ears pricked.
A stylish victress at first-asking June 12 at this venue, the newly minted 'TDN Rising Star, presented by Hagyard' was asked to take on graded company in her second lifetime start, and she passed that test with grace to land the GIII Sorrento Stakes by over four lengths. From there, she ran an even fourth in the GI Del Mar Debutante Stakes two back Sept. 6 and faded to fifth last out Oct. 4 when trying two-turns for the first time in the GII Oak Leaf Stakes. She was beaten by well-regarded stablemates on both of those occasions, namely the Natalie Baffert-owned Bottle of Rouge (Vino Rosso) and fellow 'Rising Star' Explora (Blame), respectively.
Given 1-2 favoritism to turn her form around here, Himika watched the race unfold from just off the flank of Revera (Lexitonian) as that one set a contested pace through :22.55 and a half in :45.65. Briefly overtaking that leader at the quarter pole, she kicked clear coming off the bend and sailed home as a wrapped-up winner by 4 1/4 lengths. Revera held on to second as Stuffy Mist (Maximus Mischief) ambled in from last to claim third.
“She was probably running faster last time going long,” said Bob Baffert. “She was in a good spot, had a great post and she was manageable to rate like, so I felt pretty confident. You just don't know how much that last race took out of her, but it looks like it didn't take a lot out of her.”
“I was happy that she is back to winning form. She basically told us, no two turns for now but maybe down the road. Maybe something like the Test. You know, I think she is that kind of filly. Right now, we are just thinking about next weekend, the Tokyo City Cup. We go week by week, like Belichick.”
Himika is the first to the races for Saratoga track-record setter Motivated Seller, who finished off the board only once in her career when she faded to ninth in the GI La Brea Stakes in 2020. Since this victress, the mare has produced a yearling filly by Complexity as well as a 2025 colt by Jack Christopher. She visited McKinzie for 2026. Click for the Equibase.com chart or VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV.
“A tremendous performance…”
#4 HIMIKA rolled home in the $85,000 Anoakia Stakes at @santaanitapark. @JJHernandezS19 in the saddle on the daughter of Curlin for trainer Bob Baffert and @BaomaCorp. Baffert won both legs of the early double. pic.twitter.com/xCOChVkmdp
— FanDuel Racing (@FanDuel_Racing) October 19, 2025
ANOAKIA S., $91,370, Santa Anita, 10-19, 2yo, f, 6f, 1:10.40, ft.
1–HIMIKA, 122, f, 2, by Curlin
1st Dam: Motivated Seller (SP, $157,400), by Into Mischief
2nd Dam: Coup, by Empire Maker
3rd Dam: French Lady (Nz), by Entrepreneur (GB)
'TDN Rising Star, presented by Hagyard'. ($900,000 2yo '25 OBSAPR). O-Baoma Corp; B-Klaravich Stables Inc. (KY); T-Bob Baffert; J-Juan J. Hernandez. $54,822. Lifetime Record: 5-3-0-0, $202,822.
2–Revera, 120, f, 2, Lexitonian–Decoder, by War Front. ($50,000 Wlg '23 KEENOV; $47,000 RNA Ylg '24 KEESEP; $85,000 2yo '25 OBSMAR). 1ST BLACK TYPE. O-Saints or Sinners, Titletown Racing Stables, U Racing Stables LLC, Barker, Denise, Barker, Edwin S., Haines, John, Rivers, Daniel and Self, Deborah; B-Steven Nicholson & Brandi Nicholson (KY); T-John W. Sadler. $18,274.
3–Stuffy Mist, 118, f, 2, Maximus Mischief–One Playful Act, by Flat Out. ($55,000 Ylg '24 KEESEP). 1ST BLACK TYPE. O-Juan J. Garcia; B-Brandywine Farm (Jim & Pam Robinson) (KY); T-Victor L. Garcia. $10,965.
Margins: 4 1/4, 2, 1HF. Odds: 0.50, 1.70, 22.30.
Also Ran: Umbralle, Heavenly Princess.
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