Magnificat leads Sunsay’s Las Flores after La Brea scratch

Sunday’s Las Flores Stakes goes as the sixth race on a nine-race card at Santa Anita Park, starting at 3 p.m. Magnificat was a supplemental entry after being a stakes scratch from Sunday’s La Brea for 3-year-old fillies where she was 20-1 on the morning line.

Trained by Richard Mandella for owner-breeder Spendthrift Farm, Magnificat graduated in her second start going six furlongs at Del Mar on Oct. 25, then returned four weeks later to beat first-allowance foes going 6 ½ furlongs at Del Mar. Both victories came by a neck. Magnificat will have regular rider Mirco Demuro aboard for her stakes debut.

Thermal steps up to the stakes ranks for trainer and co-owner John Sadler after an eye-catching allowance win going six furlongs when returned to dirt following a string of starts on turf and synthetic. On Oct. 17 at Santa Anita, Thermal went to the lead from the rail under Hector Berrios, posted a sharp opening half mile in 44.46 seconds and then drew off in the stretch to win by 3 ¾ lengths. The final time was a swift 1:08.99.

Bred in Ontario, Thermal is a 4-year-old daughter of Nyquist who was purchased by co-owner By Talla Racing for $625,000 as a yearling. She had made eight starts on turf of synthetic before romping in her return to dirt last out. Berrios will be back aboard in the Las Flores.

The field in post position order: Magnificat, Mirco Demuro; Margarita Girl, Ricky Gonzalez; Nafisa, Kazushi Kimura; Thermal, Hector Berrios; Ooty, Juan Hernandez.