Baoma Corp’s Himika (Curlin-Motivated Seller, by Into Mischief), the 1-5 favorite in a field of six fillies, made a successful step up in class when she captured the six-furlong, $150,500 Sorrento Stakes (G3) by 4 1/4 lengths Aug. 10, becoming one of two OBS grads to earn graded victories over the weekend.
The bay daughter of Curlin won her second race in as many starts, covering the distance in 1:10.61 for trainer Bob Baffert, who won the race for the ninth time.
(Benoit Photo)
“She took care of business in the stretch,” jockey Juan Hernandez told Del Mar publicity.
She was purchased by her owners for $900,000 at this year’s OBS April Sale from the de Meric Sales consignment after breezing in :9 4/5.
A day earlier at Del Mar, Pegram, Watson and Weitman’s Desert Gate (Omaha Beach-Theogony, by Curlin) cruised to an 8 ¾ length victory in $150,000 Best Pal Stakes (G3) over a field of five on Aug. 9.
Like Himika, the colt was handled by the meet’s leading rider, Juan Hernandez, and gave trainer Bob Baffert his 12th victory in the race. Desert Gate had scored by 2 ¼ lengths in his racing debut in June at Santa Anita.
“It’s nice to see these horses develop like this,” Baffert told Del Mar publicity.
Desert Gate was purchased by his owners for $260,000 at the 2025 OBS March Sale from the Navas Equine consignment after breezing in :9 4/5.
Other OBS grads who earned stakes wins during the week included Green With MV Stable’s Diciassette (Mitole-Im a Dixie Diva, by Henny Hughes), who accelerated through the lane to go on to a one-length victory in Saturday’s $75,000 Proud Man at Gulfstream Park Aug. 9.
Trained by Patrick Biancone, Diciassette was making his second career start. Fellow OBS grad Khon Han, who broke last and trailed the field in the early stages, made a dramatic late run to be second, two lengths ahead of another OBS grad in Wine Candy.
A son of Mitole, Diciassette was purchased for $34,000 by Superfine from the Abbie Road Farm at the 2024 OBS October Yearling Sale.
At Colonial Downs Aug. 9, JR Ranch and MyRacehorse’s Reputation (Bolt d’Oro-Final Reward, by Arch) captured the $100,000 Tyson Gilpin Stakes by 6 ¾ lengths.
Trained by Gustavo Delgado, Reputation bested a field that saw fellow OBS grad G W’s Girl finish third. Reputation was purchased by de Meric Sales for $135,000 from the Kaizen Sales consignment at the 2023 OBS October Yearling Sale.
At Canterbury Park on Aug. 9, Valene Farms LLC’s Carson Bay (Midshipman – Karakorum Fugitive, by Ten Most Wanted) captured the $75,000 Minnesota Oaks, setting all the fractions before drawing away to win by 5 1/2 lengths. Trained by Gary Scherer, Carson Bay was purchased for $70,000 by Murray Valene at the 2024 OBS March Sale from the consignment of Niall Brennan Stables after galloping during the under-tack show.
At Assiniboia on Aug. 4, Attack (Munnings – Ammannati (Ire), by Galileo (Ire)) earned the win in $125,750 Manitoba Derby after heavy favorite Take Charge Tom, who crossed the finish line first, was disqualified for interference shortly after leaving the gate, as a result of four different claims of foul, two by jockeys and two by trainers.
The son of Munnings is trained Craig Robert Smith and owned by a partnership that includes Highfield Investment Group, Inc., Dialed In Racing Stable, Bruce Appleyard, Jamie Graham, Lucky Diamonds Racing, Smokin Guns Stable, James and Robert Bauder, and John and Leslie O’Neill. Attack was purchased for $300,000 at the 2024 OBS March Sale by D. J. Stable from the Ocala Stud consignment after breezing in :21 2/5.
At Hastings Aug. 4, Peter Redekop’s Avana (Vino Rosso-Revealing Moment by After Market) drew clear late for the victory in the $50,000 BC Cup Distaff Handicap for trainer Barbara Heads. She was purchased by Mike Ryan, agent for $150,000 at the 2023 OBS March Sale from consignor Cary Frommer after breezing in :10 2/5.