In a race that saw its field reduced from five to three, Tenma emerged as the clear victor in the Grade 3 Las Virgenes Stakes at Santa Anita Park. The 3-year-old filly, trained by Hall of Famer Bob Baffert, showcased her prowess by taking an early lead and maintaining it throughout the contest. Despite the smaller field, Tenma's performance was nothing short of impressive, earning her a decisive 6½-length win. The stakes, intended as a Kentucky Oaks prep, awarded qualifying points to the top three finishers. Tenma's victory added 20 points to her total, now leading among active contenders for the prestigious Oaks event.

Tenma's Commanding Lead and Stellar Performance

Tenma's dominance in the Las Virgenes Stakes was evident from the start. Under jockey Juan Hernández, she contested the lead early on, staying within a head of the pace-setting Just As Fancy. By the second turn, Tenma had established a clear advantage, cruising through the final stretch without any real challenge. Her time of 1:38.31 solidified Baffert's fourth consecutive win in this race and extended his record to nine overall victories. This performance not only highlighted Tenma's potential but also underscored her trainer's unparalleled expertise in preparing top-tier horses.

The race began with Just As Fancy setting a brisk pace, clocking early fractions of 23.05 and 47.45 seconds. However, it was Tenma who truly shone, gradually pulling ahead under Hernández's guidance. By the three-quarter mark, Tenma had taken a commanding lead, finishing the distance in 1:12.56. Her stablemate Cipriani attempted a late surge but could not close the gap, finishing a distant second. Just As Fancy held on for third place, trailing by a significant margin. The ease with which Tenma won suggested that this was more of a routine exercise than a competitive race, further emphasizing her superior form and readiness for bigger challenges ahead.

A Promising Career Awaits Tenma

Tenma's success in the Las Virgenes Stakes is just another chapter in her rapidly developing career. Already a graded-stakes winner from her previous performances, including victories in the Del Mar Debutante and Starlet stakes, Tenma has shown consistent excellence. Her latest triumph adds $60,000 to her earnings, bringing her total purse winnings to $429,000. With four wins from five starts, Tenma is quickly becoming one of the most promising young talents in the sport.

Bred in Kentucky and purchased for $850,000, Tenma made her debut in August at Del Mar, where she secured an immediate win. She followed up with another victory in the track's Futurity before claiming the Starlet stakes in December. While she faced a setback in October with a third-place finish in the Oak Leaf stakes, her recent performances have been nothing short of stellar. Owned by Baoma Corporation and trained by Baffert, Tenma's future looks bright, especially with her accumulating Kentucky Oaks qualifying points. Her next target will undoubtedly be the coveted Kentucky Oaks, where she aims to continue her winning streak and cement her status as a top-class filly.