Kinza rolled to a five-length victory in Saturday’s $100,000 Santa Ysabel S. (G3) to improve her record to a perfect three-for-three.
The 3-year-old filly is the fourth straight winner, and record ninth overall, for her trainer Bob Baffert. Kinza, like last year’s winner Faiza, is owned by Michael Lund Petersen.
Kinza, who won the Las Virgenes S. (G3) in front-running style, was on the lead once again right from the start of the Santa Ysabel. She held a measured one-length lead through five furlongs before widening a bit on the final turn. She pulled away from the field easily at the top of the stretch to win in hand in 1:44.16 for the 1 1/16-miles on the fast track.
“I didn't want to go that fast in the beginning, I wanted to go nice and easy,” said winning rider Juan Hernandez. “I just let her go, I didn't want to fight her, she was really comfortable. I felt the pace fast earlier, so I said, 'I'm just going to wait I'm not going to move.' I was just checking making sure no one got too close to me and when she switched leads that's when she picked it up again and gave me another gear, she is a nice filly."
Kinza has now earned $159,000 in her three wins and will likely make her next start in the Santa Anita Oaks (G1) in April.