Jolie Olimpica finds her sweet spot in Santa Anita's Monrovia

With a perfectly timed run, Jolie Olimpica returned to her winning ways Monday, pouncing on a loose leader before the deep closer could catch her in Santa Anita Park’s Grade 2, $200,000 Monrovia Stakes.

The Brazilian-bred filly, a 4-year-old daughter of Drosselmeyer making her third domestic start since put in the care of trainer Richard Mandella, improved to 5-for-6 overall.

Fox Hill Farm’s Jolie Olimpica ran down pace-setting Stealthediamonds, who just tired after opening the race in 21.40 and 43.40, and hit the wire before the talented Oleksandra could catch her in the Monrovia, a 5 1/2-furlong sprint on the turf.

"She's that kind of horse that she deserves to be ridden confidently," jockey Mike Smith said of Jolie Olimpica. "She kind of demands it as well. You just let her be, and she's going to get the job done."

Jolie Olimpica returned Monday off the only defeat of her career in the Buena Vista (G2) on Feb. 22 at Santa Anita. That race, at a mile, proved too far to carry that day, and she appreciated less ground as a winner of the Las Cienegas (G3) over this course and at the distance on Jan. 11 in her U.S. debut.

The final time of 1:01.11 in the Monrovia was just .11 seconds off the record set by Jolie Olimpica in the Las Cienegas.

“She basically ran back to her race here two back," Mandella said. "She was so relaxed today. She’s settled nicely into our system and now I think she’ll go longer. I think Mike could’ve done whatever he wanted today.”

Away as the 4/5 favorite in a field of seven, Jolie Olimpica returned $3.80. Oleksandra got up for seconds, Stealthediamonds was third and Into Mystic was best of the also-rans in fourth.