Queen Maxima rules again in Santa Anita turf sprint

ARCADIA — Queen Maxima and jockey Juan Hernandez stayed popular with bettors by winning the $100,000, Grade III Las Cienegas Stakes at 2-5 odds at Santa Anita on Sunday.

The Jeff Mullins-trained 5-year-old mare’s victory by one-half length over Princess Moche was her fifth win at the ungraded and Grade III level in the past 11 months and third at odds-on. It was her eighth win in 13 starts overall, fifth in six races at Santa Anita and third in four tries in Santa Anita’s downhill turf sprints. She paid $2.80.

“She is pretty amazing. We are so happy to have her in our lives,” said co-owner Michele Arthur, a San Diego resident.

Trainer Mark Glatt capped a huge weekend with 4-year-old Margarita Girl ($10.40) and jockey Ricardo Gonzalez winning the $100,000, Grade III Las Flores Stakes for fillies and mares a day after So Happy and Mike Smith won the $200,000, Grade II San Vicente Stakes for 3-year-olds.

Earlier Sunday, Damazio, a claiming-level 7-year-old gelding, was euthanized after being pulled up with an injury on the second turn in the second race.

The death of Damazio, trained by Mullins and ridden by Adrian Escobedo, was the first in a race at Santa Anita since Jan. 25, 2025, when Dont Fight the Fed was fatally injured in the San Pasqual Stakes.