Add Evita Argentina to filly list

A couple of days ago we blogged about the number of talented fillies we have this year, including Zenyatta, Cocoa Belle, Life Is Sweet and Stardom Bound. Well, we can now add the name Evita Argentina to the list after the 3-year-old became the first filly in 62 years to beat the boys in the $150,000 San Vicente Stakes at Santa Anita on Monday with a powerful closing punch.

The last filly to win the San Vicente? Hubble Bubble via disqualification in 1947. Evita Argentina became only the third filly to win the race in its 68 runnings, rallying from last in the field of 10 to win by a length, running the seven furlongs on a snythetic Pro-Ride surface made somewhat soggy by the rain in 1:24.30.

Trainer John Sadler didn't even get to witness the historic event, remaining home because he was not feeling well. His assistant, Larry Benavidez, saddled Evita Argentina and credited jockey Garrett Gomez with a perfect ride. Gomez swept the final three races on the nine-race holiday card for a $23.60 late pick three.

Benavidez said the $400,000 Fair Grounds Oaks in New Orleans might be next for the daughter of Candy Ride, who came into the San Vicente off a runner-up effort behind stablemate Alpha Kitten in the Santa Ynez Stakes. Alpha Kitten, yet another of the talented fillies we have this season, was injured recently while galloping at Santa Anita and is sidelined for about six months.