Splendora wins season debut in D. Wayne Lukas Stakes

Splendor the winner of the 2025 Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Sprint (G1). Seadidn’t miss a beat during her 5-year-old season by winning the D. Wayne Lukas Stakes (G2) on February 7 Santa Anita Park. The 7-furlong, $200,500 dirt race for older fillies and mares, formerly known as the Santa Monica Stakes, was renamed early this year in honor of the late Hall of Fame trainer, who won the event six times.

Splendora is trained by Hall of Famer Bob Baffert, who said before the race, “D. Wayne Lukas was a good friend who I looked up to. It would be an honor if I could win this race in his name.”

And he did. Splendor, one Audible 5 year old mare threw her head at the break and lost a step, but recovered and stalked Me and Molly McGee And Red formula between the runners. As she passed the quarter pole, she pulled alongside the pacers and took control at the top of the stretch. She won by 1 3/4 lengths, bounced back by jockey Juan Hernandez who approached the wire in a final time of 1:22.09. The race splits were :22.78 and :45.63, set by Me and Molly McGee.

“She broke a step slowly, but she recovered very well,” Hernandez said. “Around three-eighths she ran away, but today she ran alone. I was just happy to be on board. Bob does an incredible job with her. She’s nice. She’s a push button.’

Splendora ran for By Talla Racing and became the 2-5 favorite, paying $2.80 for the win. Me and Molly McGee came second and Formula Rossa came third. Former Lucas intern Lemon muffin finished fourth.

Splendora earned her sixth win and fourth in a row and now has a record of 6-4-0 in 11 starts for earnings of $980,800. Bred in Maryland by The Elkstone Group, she was purchased by Talla Racing and Rockingham Ranch from the Brookdale Sales consignment for the 2022 Fasig-Tipton Kentucky’s The July Sale.

“She’s such a good filly. It just gives me chills,” Baffert said. “She missed the break and fell behind, but Juan rode her with a lot of confidence. When I saw this race was renamed D. Wayne Lukas, I wanted to win it. I miss him. I miss talking to him. He would have loved this.”

Video: D. Wayne Lukas S. (G2)

El Potente goes back to back in Thunder Road

One race earlier, The powerful a 7 year old son of Temple city won the $100,000 Thunder Road Stakes (G3T) for the second year in a row.

Trained by Dan Blacker and owned by My Way Racing, he broke sharply and led the field every step of the way. Namaron raced just wide of him through fractions of :22.92, :46.67 and 1:10.20, but El Potente put him away at the far corner as he continued on cruise control.

In the stretch drive, El Potente hugged the rail and continued to widen the field. He crossed the wire 3 3/4 lengths in front under Hector Berrios.

“My horse raced perfectly,” said the jockey. “We were in the lead, but when I felt the pressure from the other horse (Namaron), my horse fought back and was very strong. During the turn I asked him and he answered. When I went down the stretch, he just flew.”

El Potente finished the mile-turf race on solid ground in 1:33.49. Gas me up came second, while Watsonville held third.

He paid $4 to win for a $2 bet as favorite.

Video: Thunder Road S. (G3T)