Las Virgenes

Amerman Racing LLC's BALANCE (Thunder Gulch) patiently waited just in behind

the pacesetters during Saturday's $250,000

Las

Virgenes S. (G1) at Santa Anita, before moving up to take over and win the

mile test over the fast track in 1:36 2/5.

When the gates opened, Meetmeinthewoods (General Meeting) surged to the front

on the inside with Diplomat Lady (Forestry) not far behind just to her outside.

Those two settled into their strides along the backstretch through splits of

:22, :45 3/5 and 1:09 4/5. All the while, Balance and jockey Victor Espinoza

were trading third place back and forth with Itty Bitty Pretty (El Corredor)

just in behind the top two.

As the field entered the turn, 2-1 favorite Wild Fit (Wild Wonder) started

her run from near the back, but Balance had already found her best stride and

took full advantage of her inside trip. Coming out four wide in the stretch, she

successfully held Wild Fit to second, crossing under the line one length in

front to earn her first graded win.

Trained by David Hofmans, Balance was sent off at 5-2 to pay $7.20, $3.40 and

$2.40. Wild Fit gave back $3 and $2.20 for finishing 2 1/4 lengths ahead of Itty

Bitty Pretty, who returned $3 at 9-2. The $1 exotics were worth $11.10 (exacta),

$38.70 (trifecta) and $152.30 (4-8-6-5 superfecta). Talullah Lula (Old Trieste),

Diplomat Lady, Meetmeinthewoods and Dance Daily (Five Star Day) completed the

order under the wire while Lake Como (Salt Lake) was withdrawn.

Balance broke her maiden in her debut by 2 1/2 lengths on the turf during the Oak

Tree at Santa Anita meet last year, then moved up in the ranks to finish first

in the grassy Hidden Light S. just 25 days later. She was disqualified from

first and placed third for interference in that mile test, and Hofmans moved his

charge to the dirt for her next start, which came as a win in the Sharp Cat S.

The sophomore ended her 2005 campaign with a close second in the Hollywood

Starlet S. (G1), and has now earned $333,300 to go along with her 5-3-1-1

lifetime record.

Bred in Kentucky by Maverick Production Limited, the bay miss was purchased

by her current owner for $260,000 as a Keeneland September yearling. Out of the

winning Vertigineux (Kris S.), Balance counts 2005 Remington Park Oaks winner

Where's Bailey (Aljabr) and juvenile Zenyatta (Street Cry [Ire]) as

half-sisters.