BLAME’s Explora came out running on Saturday in her first start since finishing second in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies (G1) with a victory in the Listed Santa Ynez S. at Santa Anita.
Kicking her 3-year-old season in the seven-furlong Kentucky Oaks (G1) prep race, Explora broke well and raced alongside the leaders in the chute before backing off the duel. As a pair set the pace while racing head-to-head, Explora was happy to set up shop as the back marker down the backstretch.
A 1-9 favorite, Juan Hernandez unleashed Explora coming into the far turn and after a tap on the shoulder, Explora clicked into gear. She collared the leaders coming into the stretch and it was clear she was much the best with the filly winning by 5 ¼ lengths.
Trained by Bob Baffert for Michael Pegram, Karl Watson, and Paul Weitman, Explora has never finished worse than second in five career starts. That record includes victories in the Oak Leaf S. (G2) and the Santa Ynez with seconds in two Grade 1 races.
A $350,000 2-year-old purchase last year, the Mesingw Farm-bred is one of five winners from five foals out of winning Bernardini mare Collections Choice. That mare is out of stakes winner and multiple Grade 1-placed Model, who had four winners from her own six runners.
This family also includes Grade 1 winners Preseli, La Crique, Valley of Gold, and Dai Jin.
It’s already been an exciting year for BLAME, who was named a Thoroughbred Daily News ‘Value Sire’ to kick off 2026.