Grade I Winner La Tia Retired

Salvador Hernandez’s GI Matriarch S. victress La Tia (City Place) has been retired and will begin her new career as a broodmare. Originally considering a start in the GIII Churchill Downs Distaff Turf Mile May 2, Hernandez decided to skip that race and breed his homebred to Candy Ride (Arg). 

“There was an offer to buy her from a Japanese interest, but it fell through,” Hernandez said. “When that happened, I decided to turn her into a broodmare. I want to keep her and breed her to Candy Ride. She is done racing and has been a great racehorse. She is going to be a good momma.” 

La Tia’s first black-type win came immediately following her graduation in Arlington’s 2012 Purple Violet S., and she made it three in a row with a victory in the GIII Arlington Oaks. The Illinois-bred’s best season came in 2014 when she won the GIII Arlington Matron S., GIII Ontario Matron S. and GIII Athenia S., in addition to besting GISW Discreet Marq (Discreet Cat) in the Matriarch. 

“She is the best horse I’ve ever been around and she means a lot to me,” said trainer Armando De La Cerda. “She is so fast and is a very sound and happy horse who gives 100% in every race. She is one of the best turf fillies in the country and has a great attitude. She could race another season, but [Hernandez] would like to breed her. I would love to run her on Kentucky Derby Day to show everyone how good she is one more time, but she has nothing to prove. She’s a Grade I winner and will make a great broodmare.” 

The dark bay spent her winter training at the Fair Grounds and made one start this year at Santa Anita, where she finished second to ‘TDN Rising Star’ Diversy Harbor (Curlin) in the GII Buena Vista S. Feb. 16. The 6-year-old retires with a record of 24-10-2-5 and earnings of $1,023,326.