Splendora dominates Churchill Downs’ Shawnee S. (G2)

Reigning Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Sprint (G1) champion Splendora made it three graded wins in four starts this year in Saturday’s $300,000 Shawnee S. (G2) at Churchill Downs, rolling home a 2 ¾-length winner over Immersive.

After a sub-par race in the May 2 Derby City Distaff (G1), which trainer Bob Baffert attributed to running to soon after her flight from California, Baffert was on the fence about running in the Shawnee, ultimately making the decision to try the dark bay beyond a mile in over a year.

Gin Gin held a one-length advantage over Splendora for the first five furlongs. That lead disappeared going into the far turn as Splendora cruised past the pacesetter effortlessly. She kicked clear of the field in upper stretch to win with ease in 1:42.07 on a fast track.

“She actually worked well,” Baffert said referencing a 5-furlong breeze May 24. “I wanted to see what she was doing. The last couple of days, she looked like she was really enjoying herself. Once it dried up, she was really enjoying herself out there. I was just on the fence a little bit, I wasn’t sure. I let the horses tell me, and she told me the last two days, ‘Put me in, Coach.'”

Bred in Maryland by The Elkstone Group, Splendora is owned by By Talla Racing and Boyd Racing LLC. The 5-year-old is 8-4-0 in 14 starts and has earned $1,357,700. Since winning the Breeders’ Cup in November, Splendora has won the D. Wayne Lukas S. (G2) and B. Wayne Hughes Beholder Mile (G1).