by Jenny Blandford

Sweeter Still (Ire) overtook tiring pacesetter Dawn Before Dawn on the turn and gamely held on to earn her first career graded stakes win by a nose in the $109,800 Senorita Stakes (G3) on Saturday at Hollywood Park.

Sent off as the 3-to-2 favorite in the field of eight three-year-old fillies, Sweeter Still was positioned in third through a half-mile by jockey Martin Garcia as Dawn Before Dawn led the field through an opening quarter in :22.64 and a half-mile in :46.32.

Turning for home, Sweeter Still moved up along the outside while positioned three wide to overtake Dawn Before Dawn. Sweeter Still was challenged in the stretch by Magical Fantasy and Bel Air Sizzle, who trailed the field early and dropped more than 16 lengths off the pace.

Sweeter Still dug in gamely when challenged by Magical Fantasy in the closing strides and held on despite drifting out to complete the one-mile race in 1:35.63 on firm turf.

Bel Air Sizzle closed willingly but could not catch the leaders and finished third, 1 3/4 lengths behind Magical Fantasy.

Trained by Jeff Mullins for David Lanzman Racing Stable and Jason Wood, Sweeter Still entered off a runner-up finish in the Providencia Stakes (G2) on April 5 at Santa Anita Park. The Rock of Gibraltar (Ire) filly opened the season with two consecutive wins, including the China Doll Stakes on March 1 at Santa Anita.

“I told Martin [Garcia] to sit behind the pace and make one run. It looked like he might have moved a little bit too soon but he got the job done,” Mullins said. “She doesn’t weigh 600 pounds soaking wet, so for a filly that size to accomplish what she’s accomplished, it’s pretty sweet.”

Sweeter Still, who improved to three wins in six starts and boosted her earnings to $184,637, is a half sister to Irish Group 3 winner Belle Artiste and is out of the Belmez mare Beltisaal. 

For an Equibase chart, click here.

Jenny Blandford is a Thoroughbred Times assistant daily news editor