Tenma cruises to victory in G3 Fasig-Tipton Las Virgenes Stakes

Three-year-old Nyquist filly overpowers rivals to claim her third Graded Stakes score

Tenma cruised home the easiest of winners in the G3 Fasig-Tipton Las Virgenes Stakes at Santa Anita on Sunday, 2 February.

The victory earned the three-year-old daughter of Nyquist 20 points toward a start in the G1 Kentucky Oaks on 2 May. The Las Virgenes is the third Graded Stakes win for Tenma, who also boasts victories in the G1 Del Mar Debutante and G2 Starlet Stakes.

A compact field of three went to the post in the eight-furlong Las Virgenes, after the defections of both Lolo Le Plume and Our Moonlight. Sent off as the heavy 1-5 favorite, Tenma broke alertly and immediately went to battle Just as Fancy through the early stages of the race. Cipriani, a stablemate of Tenma, raced in third, some 10 lengths behind the leading duo.

Entering the far turn, Tenma hit another gear and took command, easily shaking off Just as Fancy while still under a hand-ride. Tenma continued to cruise through the stretch, eventually crossing the wire six-and-a-half lengths ahead of Cipriani (Bernardini), who closed well to take second.

Bred in Kentucky by B. Flay Thoroughbreds, Tenma is out of Amagansett, an unraced daughter of Tapit. Second dam is the Stakes winner, Twirl (Galileo), a full sister to Champions Misty For Me (G1 Irish One Thousand Guineas, etc.) and Ballydoyle (G1 Prix Marcel Boussac). Tenma was purchased by her connections for $850,000 at the 2024 OBS April Two-Year-Old Sale.

Nyquist has started the new year where he left off in 2024, with yet another Graded Stakes winner, joining Cavalieri, recent winner of the G3 La Canada Stakes. 

The stallion is coming off a banner season, one which was capped off with his son, Johannes, winning his fifth Graded Stakes of the year in the G2 San Gabriel in December. In addition, Nyquist was also represented by the undefeated Champion Juvenile filly, Immersive, and G1 winner Randomized.

Nyquist will stand the 2025 breeding season at Jonabell Farm for $175,000, stands and nurses.