In four prior starts in graded stakes, Splendora had been competitive but settled for secondary prizes, finishing as the runner-up three times and fourth once. But none of those outings came over the main track at Del Mar, a surface over which she is unbeaten.
Her affinity for the Del Mar strip was on full display Nov. 1 in the $1 million Breeders' Cup Filly and Mare Sprint (G1), when the blossoming 4-year-old Audible filly romped to 4 3/4-length victory over Vahva. Her breakthrough graded stakes triumph improved her local record to 4-for-4.
Though she was in fifth early in the 7-furlong Filly and Mare Sprint, Splendora always looked loaded under Flavien Prat, comfortably tracking the leaders. She kept her two Bob Baffert-trained stablemates Hope Road and Richi within reach, as the former carved out splits of :22.12 and :44.64 with Richi and Haulin Ice also part of the early scrum.
Once on the turn, Splendora began to advance on the leaders, moving to fourth after a half-mile and taking over and running up a 1 1/2-length advantage with a furlong remaining. She opened up through the final eighth of a mile, and not even the rallying Vahva could get anywhere close to her. The latter passed Hope Road, who finished 1 1/4 lengths behind Vahva in third.
Splendora was clocked in a final time of 1:21.79. She paid $7.80 to win as the second favorite behind Hope Road.
She gave trainer Bob Baffert a 20th Breeders' Cup victory, tying him with the late D. Wayne Lukas for second all-time among trainers.
"I still miss him. I loved having conversations with him," Baffert said. "It's an honor to tie him."
Later on the card, Baffert matched Irish trainer Aidan O'Brien in first with 21 wins when Nysos captured the Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile (G1).
Owner Michael Talla of By Talla Racing called Saturday's triumph his "No. 1" win in racing, eclipsing a Santa Anita Derby (G1) victory from Rock Your World in 2021. He co-owned the John Sadler-trained Rock Your World with Hronis Racing.
He credited Baffert and Prat for Saturday's victory, and naturally, Splendora. "I didn't have to do anything but clap," he quipped.
A field of only seven went to post in the Filly and Mare Sprint—the shortest field in the race since five went to post 2021—after the veterinary scratches of Sweet Azteca, Tamara, and Fee Blanche. Sweet Azteca and Tamara were the morning-line favorites.
Talla said he felt sorry for the owners of those horses.
"I wish everybody could have gone because I really thought we had the best filly, and I think she could have gone even quicker. We'll never know," he said.
Her victory leaves her in contention for an Eclipse Award. Fifteen of the previous 18 Filly and Mare Sprint winners have been honored as North America's champion female sprinter.
Kopion, fifth against males in the Breeders' Cup Sprint (G1), will also garner support as a grade 1 winner in 2025, as will Hope Road.
Splendora is now 5-4-0 in 10 starts, and 3-2-0 in six races this year. She earned $520,000 Saturday, elevating her career bankroll to $860,800.
Bred in Maryland by The Elkstone Group out of the stakes-winning Frost Giant mare Miss Freeze, Splendora was a $125,000 purchase by Sweetwater Trading, agent for Talla Racing and Rockingham Ranch, from the Brookdale Sales consignment in 2022 to Fasig-Tipton's The July Sale in Kentucky.
Splendora became the first grade 1 winner for third-crop stallion Audible. He will stand for a $7,500 fee next year at WinStar Farm in Kentucky.
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