Nafisa Wins Stakes Debut For Baffert In Grade III La Canada Stakes For Older Fillies And Mares Going 1 1/16 Miles Saturday At Santa Anita

NAFISA WINS STAKES DEBUT FOR BAFFERT IN GRADE III LA CANADA STAKES FOR OLDER FILLIES AND MARES GOING 1 1/16 MILES SATURDAY AT SANTA ANITA

ARCADIA, CA (Jan. 24, 2026)—Making her stakes debut for trainer Bob Baffert, Nafisa rolled to a 4 ¾-length victory in the Grade III, $100,000 La Canada Stakes for older fillies and mares going 1 1/16 miles Saturday at Santa Anita.

Nafisa, the 2-1 second choice ridden by Kazushi Kimura, stalked pacesetting stablemate Brilliantly (8-5) in second through fractions of 23.65 and 47.34 seconds for the opening half mile. Nafisa sailed past Brilliantly midway on the second turn, clocked six furlongs in 1:11.47 and then cruised under the wire an easy winner. Jane Austen (10-1), ridden by Abel Lezcano for trainer Mark Glatt, rallied to be second with Brilliantly another 2 ¼ lengths back in third. Ooty, another Baffert runner, completed the superfecta in fourth.

This was the third straight win for Nafisa, which have all come on dirt following a string of starts on turf. Just 16 days ago on Jan.9, Nafisa earned a front-running allowance win going one mile at Santa Anita.

Kimura has been aboard for all three of Nafisa’s most recent victories.

“In her last race I didn’t need to go to the lead with her. She is just a naturally big -striding horse and I just tried to keep her comfortable,” Kimura said. “Today she was beside the other Baffert horse (Brilliantly). She was already cruising from the three-eighths (pole). It was great.”

Owned by Zedan Racing Stables, Nafisa, won in a time of 1:44.77. The 5-year-old mare by Quality Road was a $1.8 million auction purchase as a yearling.

For Baffert, this was his sixth time winning the La Canada. Last year, he won with Cavalieri.

“She wants to go long on dirt,” Baffert said. “I was bringing her back a little quick today, she was getting excited in the paddock. It’s nice to get her a stakes win. I would have liked to have run one-two-three, but I’m glad to get the ‘W.’ Big win.”

Nafisa paid $6.60, $4.20 and $3.00. Jane Austen returned $6.20 and $3.40. Brilliantly, ridden by Juan Hernandez, paid $2.60.

Live racing resumes Sunday at Santa Anita with a nine-race card starting at 12:30 p.m. PT.

GRADE III, LA CANADA STAKES QUOTES

JOCKEY QUOTES

KAZUSHI KIMURA, NAFISA, WINNER: “In her last race I didn’t need to go to the lead with her. She is just a naturally big -striding horse and I just tried to keep her comfortable. Today she was beside the other Baffert horse (Brilliantly). She was already cruising from the three eighth (pole) It was great.

“Everybody knows this is a wonderful place, especially in the winter season. It has been great, so far so good. I’ve been having good opportunities, it’s been great.”

TRAINER QUOTES

BOB BAFFERT, NAFISA, WINNER: “She wants to go long on dirt. I was bringing her back a little quick today, she was getting excited in the paddock. It’s nice to get a stakes win. I would have liked to have to run one-two-three. I’m glad to get the ‘W.’ Big win.”

NOTES: The winning owner is Zedan Racing Stables, Inc.