They don't make them all like Queen Maxima (Bucchero), but the newly minted 5-year-old mare has been the queen of the downhill green at Santa Anita Park for the last two seasons, and she kicked off 2026 in similar style via the GIII Las Cienegas Stakes.The 2-5 favorite was in no hurry after the jump, and stalked the early pace contentedly until they swung into the bend coming off the hill after a :44.15 half. The looming danger to the pace, she took command entering the lane and comfortably kept them at bay to score in a final time of 1:11.69. Princesa Moche (Per) Muwaary {GB}) ran on for second and Spicybug (Speightstown) was third.The daughter of Bucchero is now eight for 13 in her career, and has won five of her last six starts at The Great Race Place, counting this victory.Sales history: $40,000 2yo '23 OBSOPN. O-Dutch Girl Holdings LLC and Irving Ventures LLC; B-Saul Rosas (FL); T-Jeff Mullins. #1 QUEEN MAXIMA ($2.80) and @JJHernandezS19 get the win in the $100,000 Las Cienegas Stakes (G3) at @santaanitapark. The daughter of Bucchero is trained by @Jmullinsracing. pic.twitter.com/Tu6AD79Exc— FanDuel Racing (@FanDuel_Racing) January 11, 2026The post All Hail the Queen of Downhill Green: Queen Maxima Struts Her Stuff in Las Cienegas appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.