Public Assembly got the better of Brazilian filly Sun of Hill in the Royal Heroine Stakes

Ridden by Italian jockey Antonio Fresu, the daughter of More Than Ready secured the best victory of her career at Santa Anita Park

All the joy of Antonio Fresu following Public Assembly's victory / BENOIT PHOTO

ARCADIA, California (Special for Turf Diario) – Making her debut in stakes competition, Public Assemblynavigated through rivals in the final stretch and accelerated with power under the guidance of Italian jockey Antonio Fresu to win the Royal Heroine Stakes (G3), a race for older mares held Saturday at Santa Anita Park over a mile on turf.

At odds of 8-1, Public Assembly defeated her stablemate, the surprise Brazilian Sun of Hill (Camelot Kitten) (28-1), by 1 3/4 lengths, completing an exacta prepared by trainer Phil D'Amato that paid $144.90 for every $1 ticket. Sneaker (Oscar Performance) (23-1) finished third, while Venganza (Curlin) (19-1) took fourth, rounding out a superfecta entirely composed of surprises that returned $1,823.60 for a 10-cent bet.

Previously trained by Chad Brown on the East Coast, Public Assembly was making just her second start under D'Amato's care. In her debut for the California-based stable, she had won a maiden race at Santa Anita over 2000 meters on turf with ease.

"After that race, I told Phil she should run in a stakes race right away," said Fresu.

To prepare her for the shorter distance of the Royal Heroine, considered a steppingstone to the Gamely Stakes (G1-1800m) on May 26, D'Amato decided to work Public Assembly in a fast 5-furlong drill in 58.40 seconds.

"I wanted a strong work to bring her out more energetic, coming off a mile and a quarter," explained the trainer. "And, somehow, it worked."

In the race, Hamwood Flier (Kodiac) (10-1) led uncontested with Juan Hernández, while Public Assembly sat mid-pack, saving ground along the rail in a field of 11 competitors. Fresu, with patience, waited for an opening, and when he found space at the start of the stretch, his mare immediately responded, pulling away from the competition with great authority.

"I was very confident today," confessed Fresu. "The only concern was that a mile might be a bit short for her, but she had a great break and a perfect trip saving ground. She traveled even better than in her last race. As soon as she saw the gap, she took off. It was impressive."

Over a turf course rated as good, Public Assembly posted splits of 22.71 seconds, 46.23, 1:10.99, and 1:23.98, stopping the clock at 1:36.13.

Sun of Hill's rally was also noteworthy: after losing ground at the start and sitting second to last around the final turn, she unleashed a strong run to secure her first graded placing in the United States, under the guidance of her countryman Tiago Pereira.