Himika Wins Grade III Sorrento Stakes at Del Mar

In Del Mar, California a young 2 years old horse Himika gave a great show in the racing event. On August 10th, Himika win at the Grade III, 150,000 Sorrento Stakes in Del Mar Thoroughbred Club. She raced quick and overtook every other horse to claim her very first major victory with Juan Hernandez as her jockey.

The Sorrento Stakes is a short, six-furlong race for young filly horses. It’s a race where new stars are often seen at this track in Southern California. This time, the race had both first-time winners and fillies who had run in other big races before. This made the match-up pretty even.

Breaking smartly from the gate, Himika settled behind the early leaders in a relaxed rhythm. Hernandez kept her well-positioned through the opening stages, allowing the pace to unfold. As they got close to the curve, Hernandez pushed her on, and she moved up fast. By the time they hit the straight path, she caught up with the ones in front then sped ahead. She won by almost two lengths.

“She was very professional for a young horse,” Hernandez said after the race. “She broke well, sat right behind the speed, and when I asked her, she responded with everything she had. She has the talent to handle longer distances in the future.”

Trainer Carla Gaines entered Himika in the race following an impressive maiden win last month at Santa Anita. Although stepping up to graded stakes competition after just one start can be a significant challenge, Gaines was confident in her preparation. “She trained beautifully, and Juan gave her exactly the trip we hoped for. She has the right temperament for this stage of her career,” Gaines said.

The last run time for the six furlongs was 1:10.87, a good show for the meet. Sunlit Promise, who was up front early, came in second after leading fast. Perfect Arc closed steadily to take third but could not reach the top pair.

The Sorrento Stakes often serves as an early indicator of fillies who may progress to major races later in the year. Several past winners have gone on to win significant stakes across the country. Himika’s success now places her among the most talked-about juveniles in California.

This victory improved Himika’s record to two wins from two starts and increased her earnings to $138,000. She is owned by Lanni Bloodstock and SF Racing. Born from the fast Grade I champ sire Yoshida and Lilac Sky’s line, Himika has both quick speed and long run strength, things that may help her win more races later.

Looking forward, Gaines and the owners think about putting her in the Grade I Del Mar Debutante race in September. “We will see how she comes out of this race,” Gaines noted. “The Debutante is a likely target, but our priority is to keep her in top condition and give her every chance to develop.”

The Sunday show at Del Mar Thoroughbred Club got a big crowd, and the Sorrento Stakes was the star of the day. The race has been a key part of the summer days, letting people see how young fillies do against tougher foes.

Del Mar Thoroughbred Club keeps up its name for top races in the summer. The Sorrento Stakes is still a big deal for two-year-old fillies around here, and this year’s run was tight and well-handled.

For Himika, the win marks a big step that shows her raw skill and her team’s smart plans. Whether she keeps racing in California or goes out, her mix of speed, steady show, and calm will keep her in the run for more wins.

Now, her team’s job is to keep up the good start while they help her grow through the season. For now, her win in the Sorrento Stakes is a good beginning to what might be a big path in Thoroughbred racing.