The beautifully bred Heat Haze, a Green Desert half sister to Banks Hill and Dansili, out of the outstanding broodmare Hasili (by Kahyasi), won the Grade III Las Cienegas Handicap at Santa Anitia yesterday.

Already a Stakes winner in France as a three year old, and fifth to Zenda in the French 1,000 Guineas, Heat Haze was transferred to the US at the end of last year. A winner on her US debut, Heat Haze was settled towards the rear of the field in this six and a half furlong contest. Asked for an effort in the straight, she quickened impressively past her opponents to win by an easy three lengths.

Heat Haze will no doubt now be aimed at a higher level in a bid to emulate her famous siblings in the Autumn. Her sister, Banks Hill, won the Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Turf race by five and a half lengths, while her older brother Dansili was an unlucky third in the Breeders Cup mile the previous year at Churchills Down.

Younger sister Intercontinental is a likely runner in next week’s Nell Gwyn Stakes at Newmarket, in preparation for a tilt at the 1,000 Guineas.