Stakes Advance - Poinsettia Stakes 2025
Compiled by Robert Yates
$150,000 Poinsettia Stakes
The consistent Hillerito bids for her second career stakes victory in the $150,000 Poinsettia for female sprinters, 3 and up, Sunday at Oaklawn.
Racing begins at 12:30 p.m. CST, with probable post time for the 5 ½-furlong Poinsettia, the eighth of 10 races, 3:52 p.m.
Owned and trained by David Jacobson, Hillerito has a 6-2-0 record from eight lifetime starts and earnings of $384,751. The 5-year-old daughter of Army Mule, in her stakes debut, captured the Dream Supreme at six furlongs Nov. 8 at Churchill Downs in her last start.
“It’s a good spot for her,” Jacobson said. “I like the cutback to 5 ½ and looking to a good race.”
Hillerito, originally purchased for just $40,000, began her racing career with Kentucky Derby-winning trainer Eric Reed. The speedy Hillerito won her career debut by eight lengths May 19, 2024, at Mountaineer and a first-level allowance by 7 ½ lengths that summer at Belterra Park in her next start.
Hillerito moved to Jacobson’s barn after winning an allowance sprint by 9 ¾ lengths last April at Mountaineer.
“It was a private sale,” Jacobson said. “She came on the market, I took a look at her and I made an offer. They accepted and I bought her. Next thing I know, she’s in my barn. I’m very happy to have her.”
Hillerito, the 6-5 program favorite, is scheduled to break from post 2 under eight-time Oaklawn riding champion Ricardo Santana Jr.
Five other horses are entered, including Benedetta for Hall of Fame trainer Steve Asmussen. Benedetta (5-2) is seeking her first victory since the $150,000 American Beauty Stakes last February at Oaklawn.
Tapit Quick, Gray Lightning, Kant Believe It and Jersey Pearl are also entered.
Jersey Pearl (7-2) finished third behind Hillerito in the Dream Supreme for trainer Darrin Miller, who is seeking his first Oaklawn stakes victory since the $75,000 Southwest in 2003 with Great Notion. In 2023, Jersey Pearl won the Cheryl S. White Memorial Stakes at Mahoning Valley and finished fifth in the prestigious Test Stakes (G1) at Saratoga.
