Splendora back on form in Shawnee; Original Sin lands Blame

After wavering this week whether to run Splendora in the $263,500 Shawnee (G2) at Churchill Downs on Saturday, trainer Bob Baffert's final decision proved the right one as the reigning Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Sprint (G1) winner shook off a dull showing earlier this month to capture the 1 1/16-mile feature by a comfortable 2 3/4 lengths.

A well-beaten fourth as the even-money choice in the May 2 Derby City Distaff (G1), Splendora was nonetheless favored at around 7-5 for the Shawnee, in which she faced six rivals. Stalking just behind Gin Gin through the opening half-mile, Splendora took over on the far turn and proceeded to open up under Flavien Prat.

Not seriously challenged through the stretch, Splendora finished up in 1:42.07 over a fast track and paid $4.78. Immersive, the 2024 champion juvenile filly, rallied to edge Majestic Oops for second by a half-length.

"I could tell when I saddled her she was a little flat," said Baffert, reflecting on Splendora's behavior before the Derby City Distaff. "Today, she was on it. She's a [mare] I think needs to be here a little. She's not one to run off the plane."

In addition to her successes in the Breeders' Cup and Shawnee, the five-year-old daughter of Audible also captured the D. Wayne Lukas (G2) and Beholder Mile (G1) at Santa Anita this past winter.

Owned by Randy Boyd and Talla Racing, Splendora has now won eight of 14 starts.

An improved show of tactical speed helped propel Original Sin to a stakes debut victory in the $290,000 Blame (G3) for older horses.

A dual allowance winner this year at Fair Grounds and Keeneland, Original Sin was sent off as the 5-1 third choice in the 1 1/8-mile Blame. Routinely a horse who likes to come from off the pace, Original Sin was sent forward by Tyler Gaffalione and settled in second behind Liberal Arts, the longest shot on the board.

Getting past that rival on the far turn, Original Sin had to work to maintain his slim advantage through the final three furlongs. The four-year-old gray son of Curlin did so, holding off Ohio-bred Who Dey by a half-length. Hit Show, the 11-10 favorite, was another length behind in third.

"He jumped really well and put us where we wanted to be," Gaffalione said. "He traveled like a winner throughout."

A homebred racing for Calumet Farm and trained by Brendan Walsh, Original Sin paid $12.84 after completing the course in 1:49.39. He has now won four of eight starts.

Baffert enjoyed another success when odds-on favorite Cornucopian also rebounded from a Kentucky Derby week dud to capture the $263,500 Aristides (G3).

Under Prat, Cornucopian pressed Mad House through the opening quarter mile, led narrowly over Roll On Big Joe around the far turn and upper stretch, and then pulled away late to score by 1 1/4 lengths.

Owned in wide ranging partnership that includes Starlight Racing, Cornucopian covered six furlongs in 1:08.41 and paid $3.56. Roll On Big Joe finished second by 1 1/4 lengths over Gold Sweep. Six ran.

A four-year-old son of Into Mischief, Cornucopian has now won four of seven starts. Winner of the San Carlos (G3) at Santa Anita in late March, he failed to fire earlier this month in the Churchill Downs (G1), finishing fifth.

"His race was a disaster on Derby Day," Baffert said. "He's very talented and still figuring out how to run."