Kentucky-bred Eda turned back a pair of challenges in the stretch to score a popular victory as the race favorite in the $300,000 Starlet S. (G1) at Los Alamitos on Dec. 4.
Stretching out to two turns for the first time in her career following back-to-back sprint stakes victories, the 2-year-old daughter of Munnings tracked the early pace of long shot Benedict Canyon early in the 1 1/16-mile test. Eda took over after about six furlongs and battled back gamely after being passed in the lane by Tonito’s and then held off a late surge from Cairo Memories to score by a half-length in the end.
Eda completed the distance in 1:44.51 for her fourth win from six starts. The win was the third straight for the Baoma Corporation colorbearer who is produced from the Lemon Drop Kid mare Show Me. Eda was a $550,000 purchase at this year’s Ocala Breeders’ Sales March Sale. She was bred in Kentucky by Nathan McCauley.
“She relaxed and we had a good position on the outside down the backside,” said winning rider Juan Hernandez. “She responded when I asked her at the head of the stretch and when they came to her on the inside and outside, she didn’t want to let them by. She was very game.”
Trainer Bob Baffert said, “It was pretty exciting. Eda is getting better and better and getting the Grade 1 for her is very important.”