Florida-bred Queen Maxima captured a six-furlong turf allowance optional claimer for fillies and mares, 3-years-old and older, at Santa Anita with an impressive late surge on Sunday.
Under Juan Hernandez, the 3-year-old filly rallied from off the pace to defeat 10 rivals in the $63,500 contest. After rating inside early, Queen Maxima accelerated in the lane to capture Soho in the final strides. The victory earned her a career-best 106 Equibase Speed Figure, improving upon her 101 figure earned in her second-place finish in similar company at Del Mar on Nov. 24.
The victory marks a steady progression in her form since breaking her maiden at Del Mar in August. She followed that win with a troubled tenth-place allowance optional claiming finish in September before rebounding to finish second in the six-and-a-half furlongs Unzip Me Stakes on the Santa Anita downhill turf in late September.
Bred by Saul Rosas, the daughter of Bucchero out of the Corfu mare Corfu Lady was purchased for $40,000 at Ocala Breeders’ Sales by Michael Pender, agent, from Blue River Bloodstock’s consignment. She has now hit the board in four of five starts for trainer Jeff Mullins and owners Irving Ventures LLC and Michele Arthur, compiling a record of two wins and two seconds in five races with earnings of $113,100.
The winner returned $3.80.
Soho held second after briefly leading late, while British import Miss Mandalay settled for third after setting the early pace.
