She's a Tiger earns Grade 1 stripes in Del Mar Debutante

She's a Tiger avenged her tough half-length beat in the August 7 Sorrento

when pulling out a half-length victory on Saturday in the Grade 1, $300,750

Del

Mar Debutante under jockey Gary Stevens. The Jeff Bonde-trained juvenile

, who was sporting blinkers for the first time, was sent off the 9-2 second

choice in the eight-filly field and returned $11 to win.

"The blinkers

definitely made a difference today," Bonde asserted. "She was dominant over horses up north, but

when we came down here she was kind of pricking her ears and looking around. She

got stronger and when we added those she got more focused.

"She was very

professional in the paddock. A lot of Tale of the Cats can get a little hot but

she's got such great mentality and I'm really pleased with her."

She's a Tiger broke from the outside six post but the swift filly immediately

moved up and over to duel with even-money favorite Awesome Baby through early

fractions of :22 1/5 and :44 4/5. The duo were still neck-and-neck entering the

turn before She's a Tiger finally shook loose in the lane.

"Her race was just

incredible. She's only going seven eighths here; just wait until we go two

turns," said Mike Smith, who had piloting duties on Fascinating. "That other mare (She's a Tiger) had more seasoning on her today,

but further on down the line I think it'll be a different story."

Concave, who just nipped She's a Tiger in the Sorrento, filled the

third spot another 1 3/4 lengths back while Secret Compass rounded out the top

four. Southern Sunshine, Bajan, Awesome Baby and Sprouts completed the order of

finish.

"I guess she

didn't like all that pressure up front. I know she didn't like getting bumped by

the winner going around there," remarked Awesome Baby's rider, Martin Garcia.

She's a Tiger took her maiden debut at Pleasanton by nine lengths in late

June, then shipped to Hollywood Park for a three-quarter length victory in the

Landaluce. The Tale of the Cat bay filly showed up at Del Mar last out for her graded bow in the Sorrento,

but just missed after leading in the stretch.