Argentine-bred Vale Dori, the 1-2 betting choice under jockey Rafael Bejarano, delivered as expected Wednesday with a workmanlike winning performance in the featured $79,290 Tranquility Lake Stakes for older fillies and mares.

 

Well-positioned as a stalking second from the start of the one-mile contest, Vale Dori took command in the upper stretch, resisted the challenge of a game Makena and drew out in the final sixteenth to score by three and one-half lengths.

 

Makena, who was piloted by Drayden Van Dyke, was a clear runner-up, eight and one-quarter lengths ahead of Jolene in the field of seven runners. West Mid was withdrawn.

 

Vale Dori, a four-year-old daughter of Asiatic Boy owned by Sheik Mohammed bin Khalifa Maktoum and trained by Bob Baffert, stepped the distance on the main track in 1:35.56 and returned $3, $2.20 and $2.10 while earning a purse of $47,160  with her first success in the United States and  her third win in seven total starts.  The filly was upset as a 1-2 favorite in a similar mile race August 3 at Del Mar, beaten a neck.  Prior to being imported to America, she ran twice at Meydan race course in the United Arab Emirates and was fourth in the UAE Derby to Lani, a participant in all three Triple Crown races this year.

 

Makena paid $3.20 and $2.80, while Jolene returned $5.20 to show.