TENMA LOOKS FOR CONSECUTIVE GRADED STAKES WINS IN THE GII, $200,000 OAK LEAF STAKES PRESENTED BY OAK TREE SATURDAY AT SANTA ANITA

The 1 1/16-mile dirt test for 2-year-old fillies is a “Win and You’re In” for next month’s $2 million Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies

ARCADIA, CA (Oct. 2, 2024)—Unbeaten Tenma, winner of the GI Del Mar Debutante going seven furlongs at Del Mar Sept. 8, leads a field of eight entered in Saturday’s GII, $200,000 Oak Leaf Stakes presented by Oak Tree at Santa Anita. The 1 1/16-mile dirt test for 2-year-old fillies is a “Win and You’re In” for the $2 million Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Nov. 1 at Del Mar.

Tenma, trained by Bob Baffert, rallied from off the pace under Kazushi Kimura and got up just in time to win the Debutante by a nose over Vodka With a Twist. Previously, Tenma won her debut by a neck going 5 ½ furlongs at Del Mar Aug. 18.

By Nyquist, Tenma was an $850,000 auction buy earlier this year. She is owned by Baoma Corp. Kimura, who has ridden Tenma in both starts, retains the mount on Saturday.

Also exiting the Debutante is fourth-place finisher Jack’s Magic Girl for trainer O.J. Jauregui. In the Debutante, Jack’s Magic Girl stumbled slightly at the break and immediately found herself last of seven. The Good Magic filly then rallied five-wide on the turn under Hector Berrios before crossing the wire nine lengths adrift of the winner.

A $100,000 auction buy earlier this year, Jack’s Magic Girl is owned by Craig Drager, Rick Johnson and Jose Parga. Prior to the Debutante, she rolled to a 3 ¼-length victory in her debut going a mile on turf at Del Mar.

Nooni, also trained by Baffert, will look to make amends after being the beaten favorite in the Del Mar Debutante. Sent off at 4-5, Nooni dueled on the lead through a half mile in 44.38 seconds before fading in the stretch and checking in fifth. Previously, Nooni romped in her debut by 9 ½ lengths going five furlongs at Del Mar then won the GIII Sorrento going six furlongs at Del Mar.

By Win Win Win, Nooni was purchased for $1.8 million by owner Zedan Racing Stables at this year’s OBS March Sale of 2-year-olds in training. She will be ridden by Martin Garcia.

Baffert also entered recent maiden winner Showers. After finishing second in her debut going 6 ½ furlongs at Del Mar Aug. 10, Showers was stretched-out to a mile 15 days later and romped by five lengths against maidens. By Ghostzapper, Showers was a $240,000 auction buy as a yearling. She is owned by Sarah Kelly and William Strauss. Showers will be ridden for the first time by Antonio Fresu.

California-bred In the Air Tonight faces open company for the first time. Trained by Steve Knapp, In the Air Tonight won her first two starts including the CTBA Stakes going 5 ½ furlongs at Del Mar Aug. 4. Most recently, she finished second in the Generous Portion Stakes for statebreds going six furlongs at Del Mar Sept. 2.

By Stay Thirsty, In the Air Tonight was purchased for $50,000 last year’s Fasig-Tipton California Fall Yearlings and Horses of Racing Age Sale. The stakes winner has banked $108,400 for co-owners Anthony J. Chacon, Victor M. Flores and Terry Lovinger, who also bred the filly.

In the Air Tonight will have regular rider Tiago Pereira in the saddle.

THE GII OAK LEAF WITH JOCKEYS & WEIGHTS IN POST POSITION ORDER

Race 3 of 10 - Approximate post time 2 p.m. PT

1. Rio Del Sol - Ricardo Gonzalez - 122
2. Jack's Magic Girl - Hector Berrios - 122
3. Tenma - Kazushi Kimura - 122
4. Nooni - Martin Garcia - 122
5. In the Air Tonight - Tiago Pereira - 122
6. Showers - Antonio Fresu - 122
7. Om N Joy - Edwin Maldonado - 122
8. Non Compliant - Juan Hernandez - 122

First post time for a 10 race card on Santa Anita's Oak Tree Day is 1p.m. PT, admission gates open at 11 a.m.