Always a Princess

Always a Princess upset heavily favored Blind Luck in the $150,000 El Encino S. (G2) on Jan. 16 at Santa Anita Park, scoring by 3 1/2-lengths in 1;41.47 for the 1 1/16 miles (VIDEO). The 4-year-old daughter of Lesroidesanimaux is owned by her breeder, Arnold Zetcher LLC.

Right from the outset of the El Encino, Always a Princess engaged the speedy Champagne d’Oro for the lead. She pulled away from that foe on the far turn, opening up by three lengths into the stretch. Blind Luck came from last to get the second spot, but was still 3 1/2-lengths behind the winner at the wire.

“I tried to be on the lead,” winning rider Rafael Bejarano said. “I sent my horse really hard in the beginning. When I saw the No. 1 (Joe Talamo on Champagne d’Oro) rush his horse, I decided to put my horse right next to him. I didn’t want to stay behind him, but next to him, because my horse has a stronger kick.

“When I saw the No. 1 getting tired, I decided to give my horse a little breather before coming to the stretch. After that, I just let her run and she showed me a big kick.”

The win was the fourth in eight starts for Always a Princess, who won the Indiana Oaks (G2) last October. The winning purse of $90,000 increased her career earnings to $426,048. She is trained by Bob Baffert.