My Fiona, a daughter of 2004 Horse of the Year Ghostzapper, outdueled odd-on favored Lost Bus in the stretch  to win Friday’s featured $100,000 C.T.B.A. Stakes for California-bred two-year-old fillies.

A well beaten third in the Landaluce Stakes a month ago at Santa Anita, My Fiona won a hard-fought battle despite racing greenly, prevailing by a neck over Lost Bus in 104.90 for the 5 ½ furlongs on the main track.

My Fiona, owned by Beckerle, Lovingier and Navarro, provided trainer Walther Solis with his first Del Mar stakes success and jockey Fernando Perez with his initial victory at the seaside track.

Take Back Spring, a 44-1 outsider, was third, almost nine lengths farther back and 1 ¼ lengths ahead of fourth-place Really a Princess in the field of eight fillies. 

Earning a prize of $57,000 with her second win in three starts, My Fiona paid $13, $4.40 and $3.40. Lost Bus, sent postward at 7-10 on the basis of an impressive maiden victory at Santa Anita in May, paid $2.80 and $2.60, while Take Back Spring returned $8.20 to show.

7/18/14                          ###