Nooni returns from lengthy layoff for Baffert in the Desert Stormer Stakes for fillies and mares going 6 furlongs Thursday at Santa Anita

NOONI RETURNS FROM LENGTHY LAYOFF FOR BAFFERT IN THE DESERT STORMER STAKES FOR FILLIES AND MARES GOING 6 FURLONGS THURSDAY AT SANTA ANITA

ARCADIA, CA (June 6, 2026)—Sidelined since December of 2024, graded stakes winner Nooni returns Thursday for trainer Bob Baffert in the $100,000 Desert Stormer Stakes for fillies and mares going six furlongs at Santa Anita.

A 4-year-old filly by Win Win Win, Nooni in 2024 most notably won the GIII Sorrento sprinting six furlongs at Del Mar and was second in the GII Oak Leaf going 1 1/16 miles at Santa Anita. Following the Oak Leaf, Nooni set the pace in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies for the opening half mile and faded to sixth. Nooni, who is owned by Zedan Racing, has worked eight times for her comeback. Two weeks ago, she drilled five furlongs from the gate in a sharp 59.0 seconds. Nooni then came back to earn a bullet when working five furlongs in 1:00.2 She’ll be ridden by Juan Hernandez.

Magnificat returns to dirt for trainer Richard Mandella following a second-level allowance win going six furlongs on turf on May 15. A 4-year-old daughter of Omaha Beach, Magnificat’s only previous stakes try was a fifth-place finish in the GIIII Las Flores going six furlongs on the main track in January. The homebred for Spendthrift Farm will have Antonio Fresu aboard.

THE DESERT STORMER WITH JOCKEYS & WEIGHTS IN POST POSITION ORDER

Race 2 of 9 Approximate post time 1:30 p.m. PT

1. Antifona—Tiago Pereira—126
2. Nooni—Juan Hernandez—126
3. Revera—Joel Rosario—120
4. Magnificat—Antonio Fresu—124
5. Syntax—Kyle Frey—122

First post Thursday is 1 p.m. PT.