Basin Gets First Winner as Somavia Triumphs

Iowa-bred Somavia was impressive in her second career start, winning a maiden special weight contest at Prairie Meadows June 29. Her victory provided the first career winner for her sire, Basin. Out of the gate, Somavia made her way toward the front of the field and challenged Lets Shakeit Sugar for early control of the 4 1/2-furling dirt race. Holding a narrow head lead after a quarter-mile, the chestnut quickly showed she had more than enough as she expanded her lead until crossing the wire 3 1/2 lengths ahead of her early rival. Somavia stopped the clock in :52.93. Bred by Allen Poindexter, Somavia is owned by Ron Stolich and trained by Tristan Ashford. Sunday's contest was her second race following a fifth-place effort at Lone Star Park June 14. The filly was a $40,000 purchase out of the Wynnstay Sales consignment by Stolich at the 2024 Fasig-Tipton Kentucky Select Yearling Sale. Basin entered stud in 2022 and stands at Spendthrift Farm near Lexington for $5,000. Trained by Todd Pletcher, Basin was 3-3-1 from 12 starts with $573,640 in earnings. By Liam's Map, Basin's only top-level victory came in the 2019 Hopeful Stakes (G1). In just his third career start and first in graded company, he posted a 6 1/2-length conquest. Despite promising showings in the 2020 Rebel Stakes (G2), 2020 Arkansas Derby (G1), and 2020 Amsterdam Stakes (G2), Basin was never able to match the success he had in the Hopeful.