ECLIPSE CHAMP CE CE LOOKS THE PART AS SHE DOMINATES GRADE III, $100,000 CHILLINGWORTH STAKES BY 2 ¼ LENGTHS & HEADS TO BC TITLE DEFENSE

ARCADIA, Calif. (Oct. 2, 2022)—A joy to behold. Ce Ce, the marvelous 6-year-old Bo Hirsch homebred daughter of Elusive Quality brought her A-Game on Sunday at Santa Anita, as she emphatically defended her title in the Grade III, $100,000 Chillingworth Stakes, winning by 2 ¼ lengths as her connections hope for a repeat win as well in the Grade I, $1 million Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Sprint at Keenland Nov. 5. Trained by Michael McCarthy and ridden by Victor Espinoza, the reigning Eclipse Champion Female Sprinter got 6 ½ furlongs in 1:16.36.

In hand under Espinoza early, Ce Ce, who tracked Teddy’s Barino, Under the Stars and Scenic Masterpiece to the half mile pole, was set down at the 3 ½ marker, angled four-deep leaving the quarter pole and took command turning for home in a huge effort.

Although well beaten going seven furlongs as the 3-2 favorite in the Grade I Ballerina Handicap Aug. 28 at Saratoga, Ce Ce was hammered in the tote, going off as the 1-5 favorite among five fillies and mares three and up and returned $2.60, $2.20 and $2.10.

Out of Hirsch’s Grade I stakes winning Belong to Me mare Miss Houdini, Ce Ce registered her sixth career graded stakes win and her 11th win from 22 overall starts. With the winner’s check of $60,000, her earnings stand at $2,357,100.

Under the Stars, the third choice under Juan Hernandez, kept to her task late and finished 3 ½ lengths better than early leader Teddy’s Barino and paid $3.60 and $2.10 while off at 9-2.

The second choice at 3-1 with Mike Smith, Teddy’s Barino paid $2.10 to show.

Fractions on the race were 22.38, 44.96 and 1:09.55.