Warren's Veneda captures Santa Maria

"I was on her when she

broke her maiden a couple of years ago and I knew she was a nice filly then. I

was lucky enough to get back on her this fall. She's been nothing but a

blessing, she tries so hard," Baze praised his mount.

"Going into the first turn I thought about taking her back and dropping her

in but I told myself to just have confidence and I knew she was the best in the

field. I lost a little ground which I really don't like doing but she was the

best; she amazes me, she's a great animal."

Thegirlinthatsong (My Golden Song) filled the third spot under Rafael

Bejarano another length back as the 9-5 favorite. The dark bay miss entered the

Santa Maria off a 4 1/4-length score in the La Canada S. (G2) on January 17.

"She broke

really well but I knew it wasn't going to be the same race as last time (in the La Canada). There wasn't too much speed in there but

there was a lot of speed today," Bejarano explained. "I knew a few horses were going to show speed so

I put her where she was comfortable, up close and I stayed three or four lengths

behind. She made a run but Warren's Veneda was much the best today. My filly was

too close to the pace. She ran great, but really, no excuses."

Sent off the 9-5 second pick, Warren's Veneda paid $5.60 for the win to her faithful backers. The Paseana was the chestnut mare's first win since taking the Cat's Cradle H. at

the now defunct Hollywood Park in 2013. The California-bred five-year-old boasts

eight stakes placings, including a head second in the Bayakoa S. (G2) in her

2014 finale on December 6, and improved her career record to 21-7-3-5, $587,612, with

the Santa Maria score.

Warren's Veneda is the first registered stakes scorer out of the winning More

Cal Bread (Flying Continental). Her second dam is Grade 3 heroine Nature's Way (Nain

Bleu), and this is the same female family as Grade 3-placed stakes victor

Devoted Alliance (Devoted Ruler).

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