One Fast Broad finishes with a flourish in Soviet Problem Stakes

Favored One Fast Broad remained undefeated on dirt with a last-to-first victory in the $101,380 Soviet Problem Stakes Saturday at Los Alamitos.

Anchored well off the pace by jockey Corey Nakatani, the 2-year-old daughter of Decarchy and the Mr. Broad Blade mare Awesome Broad rallied wide into the stretch, gained the lead in deep stretch and prevailed by three-quarters of a length over 5-2 second choice Spiced Perfection.

Owned by trainer Mick Ruis’ Ruis Racing LLC, One Fast Broad completed the mile in 1:38.26. Her third win – all on the main track - in five starts increased her earnings to $229,000. The 11-10 favorite, One Fast Broad returned $4.20, $2.80 and $2.20.

Spiced Perfection, who also finished second behind One Fast Broad in last month’s Golden State Juvenile Fillies at Del Mar, paid $3.40 and $2.60 while finishing four lengths in front of pacesetter and 8-1 shot Twisted Rosie. The show price on Twisted Rosie was $4.20.

Although One Fast Broad is perfect on the main track at three different distances – she had won at six and seven furlongs before the Soviet Problem – Ruis thinks turf is her best surface.

“We think she is much better on the grass,’’ he said. “She’s run well against open company in both of her turf races.

“We’re going to give her about 30 days now and let her chill out and bring her back for the mile race on grass for 3-year-old Cal bred fillies (the $200,000 California Cup Oaks Feb. 19 at Santa Anita).’’

Nakatani, who has been aboard One Fast Broad in each of her starts, remains impressed.

“She’s been doing great and this is what she wants to do,’’ he said. “She’s very athletic and when you ask her she gives you that big run.’’

Racing resumes Sunday at Los Alamitos. Post time is 12:30 p.m.

The main event on the nine-race program is the Grade II, $200,000 Bayakoa Stakes for fillies and mares – 3-year-olds & up – at 1 1/16 miles.

Champagne Room, the champion 2-year-old filly of 2016, is the 3-1 morning line favorite for the Bayakoa. Mario Gutierrez will ride the daughter of Broken Vow for a partnership and trainer Peter Eurton.