Let Faith Arise Should Progress in Santa Maria

Let Faith Arise should progress from her first route race when she runs in Saturday’s Grade II, $200,000 Santa Maria Stakes for older fillies and mares at 1 1/16 miles.

So says Corey Nakatani, who rode the daughter of Kafwain to a second-place finish in the Grade II La Canada Stakes at 1 1/16 miles on Jan. 19, her first race beyond 6 ½ furlongs.

“She should benefit from her first time going long,” said Nakatani, fifth in Santa Anita’s riding standings through 30 days with 19 victories.

Let Faith Arise has finished worse than fourth in only one of her eight career starts, that being the Grade III Sen. Ken Maddy at about 6 ½ furlongs on the downhill turf course.

The field for the Santa Maria: Iotapa, Joe Talamo, 7-2; Fiftyshadesofhay, Martin Garcia, 5-2; Ondine, Mike Smith, 3-1; Yahilwa, Tyler Baze, 30-1; Let Faith Arise, Nakatani, 7-2; Golden Production, Kent Desormeaux, 6-1; and Stanwyck, Alex Solis, 4-1.