Teena Ella takes Senorita S. (G3) in graded debut

Spendthrift Farm’s Teena Ella, right, outgame Tom’s Regret to win the Grade III $100,000 Señorita Stakes Saturday, May 6, 2023 at Santa Anita Park – Benoit Photo

Spendthrift Farm’s homebred 3-year-old filly Teena Ella held off a hard-charging Tom’s Regret to win Saturday’s $100,000 Senorita S. (G3) over the downhill turf course at Santa Anita Park.

Teena Ella is out Spendthrift’s multiple champion and Breeders’ Cup winner Beholder.

Ridden for the first time by Edwin Maldonado, Teena Ella was just off the leaders in third as the field made its way over the downhill part of the course. She was given her cue as they crossed the dirt track, and responded in kind to take the lead a the top of the stretch. She edged clear in the final sixteenth, then dug in gamely to win by a neck in 1:12.36 on the “good” turf.

“She showed a lot of heart because they hooked her and she could have given up and didn’t,” said Hall of Fame trainer Richard Mandella, who also conditioned Beholder. “Edwin rode her really well for only being acquainted for two minutes. I think she’ll go further now on the grass. I think she will go on, but as long as I can do this, I’ll do this.”

Teena Ella, who was a close second in last month’s Angel’s Flight S., is now 2-1-1 in five starts and has earned $128,740.

Beholder is the dam of a 2-year-old filly by champion sire Bolt d’Oro and has a yearling by Curlin.