Kopion returns victorious in the La Brea (G1) Dec. 26 at Santa Anita (Ernie Belmonte/Past The Wire)
Santa Anita Press Box
ARCADIA, Calif. — Kopion, who returned from an 8 ½-month layoff and took down the GI La Brea for 3-year-old fillies on opening day at Santa Anita, will take on a trio of contenders from the Bob Baffert barn in Saturday’s Grade II, $200,000 Santa Monica Stakes for fillies and mares going seven furlongs.
In the seven-furlong La Brea, Kopion attended the pace and then drew off in the stretch to win impressively by 2 ¾ lengths. Left in her wake that day was runner-up Splendora, who also returns in the Santa Monica. Trained by Hall of Famer Richard Mandella, Kopion last January won the GIII Santa Ynez, also going seven furlongs at Santa Anita.
By Omaha Beach, Kopion is 5: 3-1-0 with $314,600 in earning for owner Spendthrift Farm. She will be ridden by Antonio Fresu for the first time.
Baffert entered Richi, winner of the GIII Las Flores on Jan.4, Splendora and Hope Road, who was fourth in the La Brea.
Richi, a Group I winner in her native Chile, won the six-furlong Las Flores by 1 ½ lengths following a seven-month layoff when making her second U.S. start. In her stateside debut last June, Richi finished second in the six-furlong Desert Stormer.
Richi is a 5-year-old mare by Practical Joke campaigned by Hill ‘n’ Dale Equine Holdings and Stud Vendaval Inc. She is 11: 7-3-0 with $178,424 in earnings. Hector Berrios will ride Richi for the first time.
Splendora was second in the La Brea at odds of 25-1. Previously, the 4-year-old Audible filly broke her maiden at Santa Anita in October and then won a first-level allowance at Del Mar in November, both going 6 ½ furlongs. Her record stands at 4: 2-2-0 with $138,400 in earnings for owner By Talla Racing LLC. Splendora will be ridden by Frankie Dettori, who previously rode the filly to a second-place finish in her debut in December 2023.
Hope Road disappointed at 5-2 when checking in fourth in the La Brea by 5 ¼ lengths. She previously won the GIII Bayakoa Stakes in November and GIII Torrey Pines Stakes in August, both going a mile at Del Mar. Owned and bred by Cicero Farms, the 4-year-old Quality Road filly is 8: 4-2-0 with $336,020 in earnings. Regular rider Juan Hernandez has the call.
THE GII SANTA MONICA WITH JOCKEYS & WEIGHTS IN POST POSITION ORDER
Race 3 of 10 Approximate post time 1 p.m. PT
- Richi – Hector Berrios – 122
- Hope Road – Juan Hernandez – 122
- Kopion – Antonio Fresu – 124
- Splendora – Lanfranco Dettori – 120
With 10 races Saturday, including four stakes, first post time is 12 p.m. PT. Admission gates will open at 10 a.m.
