Eda came into this contest riding a three race win streak, though it was one which began in 2021–capped by victory in the GI Starlet S.–and continued via her lone 2022 start where she held on to win the GIII Santa Ysabel S. by a half-length before going on the sidelines. Gone for almost fourteen months, she came back here against an allowance group and the betting public made their decisions accordingly, sending her off the 3-5 favorite despite the long time between starts. Once again finding herself on the lead and setting the pace to her liking, Eda came into the homestretch seemingly home free, but ultra-consistent 6-5 second choice Teddy’s Barino (Grazen) had other ideas, and the pair locked horns for a game battle to the wire. Eda ultimately prevailed by a head and it was a over four lengths back to third.
“We were going to run her in the Desert Stormer (Grade III, six furlongs on Mar. 25), but it didn’t work out,” said conditioner Bob Baffert. “We were just lucky this race went and now we can put her back in stakes company. Turning for home, I was listening to Frank Mirahmadi and he gave me like a confidence booster. When that other filly came up to her, I thought, ‘Wow, she’s gonna maybe go by her.’ But she dug in and Juan said she really showed some grit there. That’s the class showing up. She ran fast early, she’s always been a good mare.”