Sneaker And Kimura Earn Front-Running Victory In Saturday’s Fran’s Valentine Stakes For Fillies And Mares Bred Or Sired In California Going A Mile On Turf At Santa Anita

SNEAKER AND KIMURA EARN FRONT-RUNNING VICTORY IN SATURDAY’S FRAN’S VALENTINE STAKES FOR FILLIES AND MARES BRED OR SIRED IN CALIFORNIA GOING A MILE ON TURF AT SANTA ANITA

ARCADIA, CA (May 24, 2025)— Sneaker took pressure on the lead and proved to have plenty left in the stretch to earn a 2 ¼-length victory under Kazushi Kimura in Saturday’s $100,000 Fran’s Valentine Stakes for fillies and mares bred or sired in California going one mile on turf at Santa Anita.

Breaking from the rail, Sneaker (2-1) was hustled out of the gate and was soon joined up front by Prancingthruparis, who like Sneaker was 2-1 on the board but had slightly more money in the win pool. Sneaker would maintain a slight advantage on Prancingthruparis through fractions of 23.35, 47.40 and 1:11.52 for six furlongs.

At the top of the stretch, Prancingthruparis appeared to get ahead of her pace rival, but Sneaker would prove not to be finished. The 4-year-old Oscar Performance filly dug in gamely to answer the challenge and edged away late to earn her first stakes win. Cornelia Fort (11-1), ridden by Antonio Fresu, rallied to be second by one length over Prancingthruparis

Trained by George Papaprodromou for owner R L Stables, Sneaker won in a time of 1:35.88. In her previous start on April 26, Sneaker finished a solid third when trying the GIII Royal Heroine at a mile on turf.

“She loves to get the lead, that is her style, but she stepped a little slow from the gate,” Kimura said. “That’s why I had to hustle a little bit from the gate to stay on the (rail). I was confident. Last time she finished well in the Grade 3, so she was ready today.”

Sneaker improved to 14: 4-3-3 with $261,948 in earnings.

“It set up well and she was well within herself,” Papaprodromou said. “This was a very good race for her, but I thought her last race was just as good, maybe better. Tough competition. I’m very happy with her progression.”

Sneaker paid $6.60, $4.60 and $2.60. Cornelia Fort, trained by Andy Mathis, returned $9.40 and $4.40. Prancingthruparis, with Armando Ayuso aboard for trainer Peter Eurton, paid $2.60.