Explora gets her Grade 1 win in historic Test S. (G1)

Explora romped to a five-length victory in the $500,000 Test S. (G1) at Saratoga to give the Bob Baffert-trained filly her first Grade 1 win.

Explora, who was a close fourth in this year’s Kentucky Oaks (G1), seems destined to contest shorter distances after winning her second straight stakes at seven furlongs since the Oaks.

In the June 7^th Leslie’s Lady S. at Churchill Downs, Explora led nearly the entire. In the Test however, she sat in third, about a length from the leader, through the first half-mile. Around the turn, Explora cruised up three-wide to contest the lead outside the quarter pole. With a sudden burst at the top of the stretch, she quickly opened up a three-length lead and was never threatened from then.

The final time for seven furlongs was 1:22.42.

“She’s been phenomenal–good mare, the best clients, great jockey, perfect trip, perfect post, finally didn’t have the one hole,” said Baffert, who has now won the Test four times. “It’s nice, I’m just so grateful that she won that race because Mike (Pegram) flew all the way up here. I think last time he came here was for McKinzie (win in the 2019 Whitney). It’s tough to get Mike here, so I’m glad he made it and it’s nice to be here when somebody’s here.”

Baffert added that the Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Sprint (G1) would be the season-end goal.

Explora is owned by Pegram, along with Paul Weitman and Karl Watson. Her previous graded wins came in the Oak Leaf S. (G2) and the Honeybee S. (G3). The dark bay’s record now stands at 6-3-0 in 10 starts, with earnings of $1,534,415.