Shantisara back in business in Hillsborough

Winless in just three starts since her stellar sophomore campaign, Shantisara left no doubt that she still has her old spark in Saturday’s $200,000 Hillsborough (G2) at Tampa Bay Downs. Bettors kept faith in the even-money favorite, who handed trainer Chad Brown his sixth win in the feature for turf distaffers.

Shantisara signaled that she was rounding back into form with a belated second to Queen Goddess in the Jan. 28 Pegasus World Cup Filly & Mare Turf (G3). On the slight step up from 1 1/16 miles at Gulfstream park, to 1 1/8 miles at Tampa, she was able to secure more advantageous position early.

Jockey Irad Ortiz Jr. had Shantisara well placed stalking Scotish Star through steady splits of :24.31, :48.48, and 1:12.88 on the firm course, and they accosted the pacesetter turning for home. Scotish Star tried to fend her off, but Shantisara was too strong. The Irish-bred forged 1 1/4 lengths clear in a final time of 1:47.14.

Scotish Star salvaged runner-up honors by a neck from the rallying Surprisingly. In the process, Scotish Star reversed the result of the Feb. 4 Endeavour (G3), where Surprisingly got up to beat her by the same margin.

Temple City Terror crept into contention on the far turn, but the long-distance aficionado was outkicked in the lane and checked in another 2 1/2 lengths adrift in fourth. She just nipped the Brown-trained Rougir, who was followed by Gam’s Mission and fellow Brown pupil Kalifornia Queen.