A two-week separation between races showcased two completely different versions of Maysam. Luckily for her connections, the A-game Maysam appeared at Santa Anita Park March 2 to earn a hard-fought victory over Supa Speed in the $98,000 Santa Ysabel Stakes (G3).
After a dominant six-length debut victory at Santa Anita in January, the 3-year-old daughter of Game Winner shipped to Sunland Park in New Mexico to compete in the Sunland Park Oaks Feb. 16. Sent off at 1-9 but unsettled in the starting gate, she broke poorly and failed to assume early command, raising the white flag as they turned for home. She faded to sixth; an 18 1/4-length defeat.
Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert did not let that performance settle in for long as he wheeled her back 15 days later Sunday at her home track. The filly responded and, according to jockey Juan Hernandez, was in a much better mood to run.
"She was really happy today," Hernandez said. "Last time at Sunland, I think she didn't like the track at all. She was really upset and we missed the break. I think that's why she ran bad that day. But today, I feel like she was so happy today. She broke really sharp."
Hernandez and Maysam took command of the four-horse field in the immediate jumps out of the gate and maneuvered to an inside position from the outside gate. Jockey Flavien Prat took up pursuit on even-money favorite Supa Speed, who was making her dirt debut.
Hernandez said he could feel Prat's presence about a length behind as they clicked through fractions of :23.45 and :47.74, but that Maysam was simply waiting for a challenge.
"She was waiting for company," Hernandez said. "She was just looking around, just waiting for the competition."
The wait ended as Prat and Supa Speed drew even at the quarter pole, and a match race ensued. From that point home, the pair were never separated by more than a head in the stretch duel. Maysam was tenacious from the rail and kept herself in front as they hit the wire, winning by a nose.
Maysam paid $5.00 to win while completing 1 1/16 miles in 1:45.62. Baffert stablemate Howin was 6 1/2 lengths back in third.
The victory marked the 10th win in the Santa Ysabel for Baffert and his fifth in a row. It was the third straight win in the race for owner Michael Lund Petersen and a third win in four years for Hernandez.
Bred in Kentucky by Seclusive Farm and Chester and Anne Prince, Maysam was a $500,000 purchase from the 2024 Ocala Breeders' March Sale of 2-Year-Olds in Training. She has now earned $98,500 through her first three starts.
Maysam became the second graded stakes winner in the first crop of Lane's End stallion Game Winner, who is also the sire of Del Mar Futurity (G1) winner Gaming. Game Winner stands the 2025 season for $20,000 fee.
With only four starters, the qualifying points offered in the Santa Ysabel on the Road to the Kentucky Oaks were reduced by 50% of their original value. Maysam earned 25 points instead of 50, placing her ninth on the leaderboard. The remainder of the field was awarded points on a 12.5-7.5-5 scale.
