Kentucky is known for its inconsistent weather that can often change on a dime, something most Californians don't experience often. That has proven a challenge for trainer Bob Baffert as he has relocated some of his top horses and himself this spring.
However, Baffert is a Hall of Famer for a reason and he appeared to have won his battle with Mother Nature May 30 by keeping Splendora in the $263,500 Shawnee Stakes (G2), emerging with a no-doubt victory.
The Churchill Downs track consumed quite a bit of rain in the first half of the week, which for the California tracks would have been enough to cancel training and racing given their track surfaces are designed for the drier climate.
"You got to remember these horses have never seen mud in California," Baffert said of Splendora and his string.
Everything needed to be perfect as the 5-year-old Audible mare was exiting a surprisingly poor performance in the May 2 Derby City Distaff Stakes (G1), snapping a five-race win streak that included victories in the 2025 Breeders' Cup Filly and Mare Sprint (G1) and March 7 in the B. Wayne Hughes Beholder Mile Stakes (G1). So as Baffert watched Splendora train in the mud, he told BloodHorse May 25 that he was on the fence about competing Saturday. On May 28, he told Daily Racing Form she would likely scratch.
But then the sun started shining on the old Kentucky home of Churchill Downs, and so did Splendora. Coming to life in her training in the two days before the race, Baffert knew she was ready to run.
"She actually worked well," Baffert said referencing a 5-furlong breeze May 24. "I wanted to see what she was doing. The last couple of days, she looked like she was really enjoying herself. Once it dried up, she was really enjoying herself out there. I was just on the fence a little bit, I wasn't sure. I let the horses tell me, and she told me the last two days, 'Put me in, Coach.'"
Baffert could tell in the paddock he'd made the right choice as she was back to her typical "spicy" self compared to the more laid-back and calm version that arrived in the Churchill Downs paddock four weeks ago—something Baffert thinks he can chalk up to running too close after the plane ride.
Jockey Flavien Prat also felt that difference and popped out of the gate to track grade 1 winner Gin Gin's early pace of :23.41 and :47.07. Taking command just inside the three-eighths pole, she had a fellow Breeders' Cup winner, 2024 Juvenile Fillies (G1) victor Immersive, in pursuit. Graded stakes winner Majestic Oops also was putting in a bid on the outside, but neither ended up posing a real threat.
Splendora hit the wire 2 3/4 lengths clear while completing 1 1/16 miles in 1:42.07 and paying $4.78 as the favorite. Majestic Oops headed Immersive with a furlong to go, but 2024's champion 2-year-old filly battled back to get the place spot by a half-length.
"I don't think she was right last time. It was too bad to be true," Prat said. "Bob got her here and worked on her and, as always, did a great job. She ran to her true form today.
"She makes it pretty easy. She's very easy to ride. ... She's as good or even better as last year."
Saturday's triumph marked her first at a distance beyond a mile, although she is grade 2-placed at 1 1/8 miles. That opens plenty of opportunities going forward at both sprint and route distances. Two of the last three Shawnee winners have gone on to win the Breeders' Cup Distaff (G1) at 1 1/8 miles later in their careers, and Prat doesn't see distance as an issue.
Bred in Maryland by The Elkstone Group, Splendora has raced for By Talla Racing since being purchased as a yearling out of Brookdale Sales' consignment at the 2022 Fasig-Tipton's The July Sale for $125,000. Randy Boyd's Boyd Racing then bought in prior to her Beholder Mile win in March. Boyd Racing also spent $2.5 million at last year's Fasig-Tipton's The November Sale for grade 1 winner Seismic Beauty, who Baffert has entered as the favorite in the $200,000 Santa Margarita Stakes (G2) Saturday at Santa Anita Park.
"The Boyds came into racing, they stepped up and bought her and Seismic Beauty," Baffert said. "They want to play at the top. Our program is all about sitting in the front row; they're sitting front row with this mare."
Splendora is out of the stakes-winning Frost Giant mare Miss Freeze, who has seen all three of her foals to race win. Splendora's grade 1-winning sire Audible stands the 2026 season at WinStar Farm for $7,500.
Video
