Laurel Park’s Black-Eyed Susan Day programme delivered another sharp burst of turf sprinting quality as Sunna produced a composed and confident front-running performance in the $100,000 feature. From the moment the gates opened, the race carried a sense of urgency, but it was the visiting filly who quickly settled the question with authority, maintaining her rhythm all the way to the wire.
Sunna wins The Very One 2026 Laurel Park result
Racing outside South Florida for the first time in her career, Sunna adapted seamlessly to new surroundings, breaking cleanly and immediately establishing control of the five-furlong turf contest.
From an outside draw, she was quickest into stride and never allowed the field to settle on her terms, carving out an opening quarter in 22.59 seconds while tracked closely by Lost and Found along the inside and Les Reys dueling just behind. Jockey Luis Saez kept matters straightforward, allowing the filly to stride freely into the turn while keeping a watchful eye on the challengers stacking up behind.
Turning for home, Sunna still held a decisive advantage. The pressure arrived in numbers late, with a wall of runners fanning out across the track, led by the late surge of Saturday Flirt down the centre. Lost and Found, after struggling for a clear passage along the rail, switched off it and battled bravely between rivals to stay on for minor honours.
Despite the concerted late challenge, Sunna refused to yield. She responded each time she was asked and crossed the line a length clear, stopping the clock in 1:01.84 over a firm Dahlia turf course.
Saturday Flirt finished strongly to take second, while Lost and Found secured third after a troubled trip. Somnium, Les Reys, Strusherstuff, Sporting Lady and Malibu Hooch completed the remainder of the field, with Julee’s Legacy withdrawn before the start.
The performance marked another step forward for the four-year-old daughter of Dominus, who arrived from Gulfstream Park with solid sprint form and added further credibility with this stakes success on a major day of racing. Trainer J. Kent Sweezey noted pre-race confidence in her natural speed, a quality she once again showcased in decisive fashion.
Jockey Luis Saez, partnering her for the first time, highlighted how comfortably she handled the pace scenario, allowing her early rhythm to carry her through without disruption.
For Sunna, the outcome reinforced her growing reputation as a sharp turf sprinter capable of dictating terms at a high level, and the result added another notable chapter to her improving record.
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