Horse Racing News: Sweet Azteca Dominates Great Lady M Stakes, Sets New Track Record

Sweet Azteca Dominates the Great Lady M Stakes

In a remarkable display of speed and power, the heavily favored 4-year-old filly Sweet Azteca dominated her nine rivals in the Grade 2, $202,500 Great Lady M Stakes at Los Alamitos on Saturday. Making her first start since winning the prestigious Beholder Mile (G1) nearly four months ago, Sweet Azteca set a new track record for the 6 1/2 furlong distance, clocking in at a blistering 1:14.33.

The 7-10 favorite in her local debut, Sweet Azteca, owned and bred by Pamela Ziebarth and trained by Michael McCarthy, won the race by an impressive five lengths under jockey Juan Hernández. The previous track record of 1:14.49 was set by Finest City when she won the Great Lady M in 2016. Interestingly, Finest City went on to capture the Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Sprint six months after her Great Lady M victory.

“The race didn’t really play out like I thought it would,” commented trainer McCarthy. “I thought she’s pretty quick in her own right, so I figured she would go ahead and establish herself, but it was nice to see her be able to sit off (Daddysruby).”

The win was Sweet Azteca’s fourth in five starts, and the $120,000 payday increased her career earnings to $421,200. She returned $3.40, $3 and $2.60 for the win, place, and show, respectively.

Jockey Juan Hernández, who collaborated with Sweet Azteca for the first time, added to his impressive record of Los Alamitos daytime Thoroughbred stakes wins, bringing his total to 18. “She is a very nice filly,” Hernández said. “She switched leads in the stretch and just took off.”

The Great Lady M Stakes victory solidifies Sweet Azteca’s status as a rising star in the talented filly and mare division. Horse racing enthusiasts eagerly await to see what the future holds for this exceptional racehorse and her connections.

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