Splendora, who claimed victory in last year’s Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Sprint (G1), continued her strong performance over longer distances with a decisive gate-to-wire win in Saturday’s $326,000 Fasig-Tipton Locust Grove (G2) for fillies and mares at Churchill Downs.
Guided by jockey Flavien Prat and trained by Bob Baffert, Splendora completed the 1 1/16-mile race on a fast track in 1:43.30, maintaining keen focus throughout. She set unchallenged fractions (:24.28, :47.86, and 1:11.84) to finish 5¼ lengths ahead of Yes It Tiz. Immersive, the 2024 Champion 2-Year-Old Filly, took third place, while Chilled finished far behind in a four-horse field after scratches from Miss Authentic and Simply Joking.
This win earned Splendora $186,000 and boosted her career earnings to $1,843,700. Her record now stands at 10 wins, no seconds, and four thirds from 16 starts, representing owners Boyd Racing LLC (Randy Boyd) and By Talla Racing LLC (Michael Talla).
The Locust Grove marked Splendora’s seventh stakes victory and her fifth win in just six races this year. Among her 2026 triumphs are wins in the D. Wayne Lukas (G2), the $300,000 Beholder Mile (G1) at Santa Anita, Shawnee (G2) at Churchill Downs, and Molly Pitcher (G2) at Monmouth Park. Her only loss this season was a fourth-place finish in the Derby City Distaff (GI).
A Maryland-bred 5-year-old, Splendora is by 2020 Kentucky Derby winner Audible out of the Frost Giant mare Miss Freeze and returned $2.40 to win. She was bred by The Elkstone Group LLC.
The Locust Grove Stakes draws its name from the 1790 Georgian mansion in Louisville, once home to the relatives of Churchill Downs founder Col. M. Lewis Clark.
LOCUST GROVE QUOTES
Flavien Prat, jockey of Splendora: “She was very impressive again today. She broke well, traveled comfortably in front, and showed her class once more.”
Randy Boyd, co-owner of Splendora: “We’re grateful to Mike Talla for letting us partner with him on her. He’s a great friend, and we’re enjoying sharing this success. Our goal was to maintain a smaller but high-quality broodmare band. Between Vahva, Seismic Beauty, and soon Splendora, we feel confident about the future. Hopefully, she’ll take us back to the Breeders’ Cup.”
This story was first published by Paulick Report on September 12, 2026, under the News section.
Fan Take: Splendora’s continued dominance over multiple major stakes this season highlights her exceptional versatility and consistency, thrilling fans who appreciate high-caliber thoroughbred racing. Her success not only elevates the profile of fillies and mares in the sport but also sets the stage for another exciting Breeders’ Cup showdown, keeping the spirit of competitive racing alive and vibrant.
Source: sports.yahoo.com
