Flavien Prat Drives Splendora to Stakes Win at Monmouth Park

Flavien Prat delivered a masterclass in race tactics on Saturday, steering Splendora to a dominant 5½-length triumph in the $500,000 Molly Pitcher (G2) at Monmouth Park on July 18, 2026.

The 5-year-old Audible mare, a Grade 1-winning millionaire, led from start to finish under Prat, extending her winning streak to seven from her last eight starts. The victory followed her Shawnee (G2) score at Churchill Downs on May 30, 2026, and came just months after her Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Sprint (G1) win at Del Mar in November 2025.

What happened on the track?

Splendora broke alertly and seized the early lead, never relinquishing control as she faced six rivals in the 1⅛-mile race. Lost Horizon held second, while Nerazurri finished third, five lengths adrift. Alpine Princess, a graded stakes winner, faded after tracking the pace and finished fifth.

The final time was 1:44.75 on a sealed, fast track-softer than expected after earlier rain. Trainer Bob Baffert had fretted over muddy conditions, noting Splendora’s aversion to wet footing. “She does not like mud,” Baffert said. “I almost didn’t run her because of it. I was waiting for that break.”

Prat kept the mare focused, sticking to a simple plan. “The gameplan was to get her running to the first turn, make the lead, and get her into a good rhythm,” he said. “That’s what happened.”

Why it matters for Flavien Prat

The win added to Prat’s stakes tally on the card, following his ride on Godolphin’s Knightsbridge in the Monmouth Cup (G3) two races earlier. Prat, 32, has become a go-to jockey for top trainers like Baffert, combining sharp instincts with a knack for riding high-class fillies.

Splendora’s latest score reinforced her status as one of the season’s most consistent performers. Her seven wins from eight starts since last November include the Beholder Mile (G1) at Santa Anita on March 7, 2026. Only one defeat in that stretch came against Life Is Beautiful in the Santa Monica (G2) at Santa Anita on April 4, 2026.

Baffert, visibly pleased, called her “just getting better and better.” He praised the mare’s attitude and racing style, adding, “I love having mares like this. They’re so much fun.”

What comes next for Splendora?

Baffert remains coy about the mare’s next start, hinting at a return to Churchill Downs or a tilt at Saratoga or Keeneland. “We’ll just play it by ear,” he said. “She’ll come back to Churchill Downs and we’ll wait and see.”

Owners Randy Boyd and By Talla Racing LLC campaign Splendora, who was bred in Maryland by The Elkstone Group. Her dam, Miss Freeze, is a Frost Giant mare, while her sire, Audible, has sired multiple Grade 1 winners.

For Prat, the win at Monmouth Park keeps his 2026 stakes tally climbing. With Splendora’s class and versatility on display, another Grade 1 bid looms-possibly at Saratoga’s Whitney or the Breeders’ Cup.