Nashoba’s Key still undefeated after the Vanity

On a day in which three Grade I stakes were run at Hollywood Park, it was an unbeaten 4-year-old filly, Nashoba’s Key, who left a lasting impression because of her take-no-prisoners personality and refusal to lose.

“What do you call a female warrior?” trainer Carla Gaines quipped after Nashoba’s Key improved to five for five in her career by slipping through along the rail to score a three-quarters length victory over Balance on Saturday in the $300,000 Vanity Handicap at 1 1/8 miles on the Cushion Track.

Ridden by 17-year-old apprentice jockey Joe Talamo, who won two of the three Grade I stakes, Nashoba’s Key has established herself as one of the top older fillies in the United States since making her debut in January after dealing with chronic shin problems. But she’s no cuddly thoroughbred.

“She’s like a viper,” Gaines said. “If you walk too close to her stall, you could lose an ear. She’s fierce.”

Added Talamo: “She’s vicious.”

It’s that kind of attitude Nashoba’s Key displays when taking on her competitors. She was running second to pacesetter Ballado’s Thunder from the outset in the four-horse field. When Talamo saw the opening along the rail entering the stretch, Nashoba’s Key responded swiftly and held off Balance under a vigorous ride. Hystericalady finished third.

“She’s just unbelievable,” Talamo said. “She was keen and content the whole race, just waiting to go. When that hole opened, she just exploded. She’s such a tremendous filly and has so much heart.”

Sent off as the even-money favorite for owner-breeder Warren B. Williamson, Nashoba’s Key completed the race in 1:48.83. The daughter of Silver Hawk has demonstrated versatility in all five of her starts, three of which came on the turf.

“She’s a very dynamic horse who is learning,” Gaines said. “It’s the first race she’s run in a straight line. She’s amazing.”

While warming up, Nashoba’s Key stopped in front of the grandstand, seemingly just wanting to gawk at the crowd.

“She’s a princess,” Gaines said. “She does what she wants when she wants.”

It was a memorable day for Talamo, who rode three winners, giving him 60 for the meet, only four from Michael Baze in a suddenly close competition for the Hollywood Park riding title with one week to go.

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Panty Raid, a 3-year-old filly by Include making her first start on turf for trainer Todd Pletcher, won the $750,000 American Oaks at 1 1/4 miles, holding off favored Valbenny by three quarters of a length under jockey Edgar Prado in 2:01.53.

Panty Raid, who won the Black-Eyed Susan Stakes at Pimlico in May, was sent off at 5-1 in the nine-horse field that included horses from Japan, Australia, Ireland and France.

Owned by Glencrest Farm LLC, Panty Raid stayed in fourth position until making a move around the final turn, took a short lead in upper stretch and withstood a late challenge from Valbenny, who had been unbeaten in four starts since November.

“It was a beautiful trip,” Prado said. “We were in the perfect position, and when I asked, she really responded. In her other races she moved like she would love the turf, and she showed today she can handle it very well.”

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Bilo, a 9-1 longshot trained by Martin Jones, went wire to wire to hold off Surf Cat by a head to win the $300,000 Triple Bend Handicap at seven furlongs on the Cushion Track.

Talamo, who had never won a Grade I stakes before Saturday, got his second of the day by sending the 7-year-old gelded son of Bertrando immediately to the lead in the seven-horse field, opening a 2 1/2 -length cushion at the top of the stretch before gamely hanging on in 1:21.65 for owner Ed Nahem.

“Joe rode an incredible race,” Jones said.

It was a strong performance by Surf Cat, who was making his first start in nearly 14 months after being shut down because of foot problems following a victory in the 2006 Mervyn LeRoy Handicap.

eric.sondheimer@latimes.com