The $200,000 Santa Ynez Stakes (G2) drew a field of nine newly turned three-year-old fillies to go seven furlongs Sunday at Santa Anita Park in the first Kentucky Oaks (G1) points race of 2017.
The most recognizable name in the group is Noted and Quoted, winner of the Chandelier Stakes (G1) at Santa Anita. That 1 1/16-mile contest was sandwiched between a fourth-placing in the seven-furlong Del Mar Debutante (G1) and a fading seventh in the 8 1/2-furlong Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies (G1).
Lining up against Noted and Quoted is Shane’s Girlfriend, who broke her maiden by 5 3/4 lengths at Santa Anita on October 28 and last out traveled to Louisiana to take the Delta Downs Princess (G3) by 13 lengths. That moved the Doug O’Neill trainee’s record to a perfect two-for-two.
Trainer Bob Baffert has tabbed Martin Garcia to be aboard Noted and Quoted for the first time while Flavien Prat retains the mount on Shane’s Girlfriend.
The only other runners in the Santa Ynez with prior stakes experience are Sandy’s Surprise, sixth in the Starlet Stakes (G1); Go on Mary, ninth in the Starlet; and Carrie, last of 10 in the Juvenile Turf Sprint.
Also entered in the Santa Ynez are 10-length maiden winners It Tiz Well and Unique Bella. The field is completed by fellow maiden winners Resilient Humor and Princess Karen.
