A remarkable performance by the eastern-based filly Toupie has once again captivated racing enthusiasts at Santa Anita. Just months after her impressive victory in September, Toupie returned to the hillside turf course and secured another stakes win. Under jockey Flavien Prat, she triumphed in the Grade 3 Las Ciénegas Stakes, crossing the finish line ahead of the competition. This achievement underscores Toupie's adaptability and talent on the west coast tracks. Her trainer, Graham Motion, has been instrumental in refining her abilities, ensuring she remains a formidable competitor.

On a sunny Sunday, Toupie demonstrated her prowess on the challenging hillside turf course. The race began with Toupie taking an early lead, a position she maintained throughout. Setting comfortable fractions, she cruised effortlessly past the finish line in a time of 1:12.97 for approximately 6½ furlongs. Prat, who also rode Toupie to victory in the Unzip Me Stakes in September, praised her performance, noting her relaxation and natural talent. "She really seemed to enjoy herself out there," he remarked. "Graham has done a fantastic job preparing her."

Toupie, a 4-year-old filly bred by Alain and Gérard Wertheimer, has shown versatility across different tracks. Between her two victories at Santa Anita, she placed fourth in the Autumn Days at Aqueduct. Despite this setback, her recent success highlights her resilience and potential. The Las Ciénegas Stakes, initially scheduled for seven days earlier, was postponed due to wildfires and poor air quality in the region. When the race finally took place, Toupie proved she was ready to shine.

In the final stretch, Toupie finished 2¼ lengths ahead of Anywho, who came in second under Héctor Berrios. Nadette followed closely in third, with Miss Lizzy rounding out the top four. The race paid $4.20 to win, reflecting Toupie's status as the even-money favorite. Trainers and jockeys alike acknowledged the significance of this win, recognizing Toupie's exceptional performance and the skillful preparation by her team. As racing fans look forward to future competitions, Toupie's back-to-back victories have set a high standard for what's to come.