INGLEWOOD, Calif. (Nov. 2, 2008) — Model cruised to the lead on the outside turning for home and held on for a 1¾-length victory under jockey Michael Baze in the first running of the $75,250 It’s In The Air Stakes on Sunday at Hollywood Park.

The 4-year-old daughter of Giant’s Causeway earned her first stakes victory while covering 1 1/16 miles on Cushion Track in 1:41.01, paying $3.40, $2.40 and $2.10 as the 3-5 betting choice. Spenditallbaby, who closed for second under Victor Espinoza, paid $7.20 and $3.80, while the show payoff on Bai and Bai with Aaron Gryder up was $3.

"She was getting a little bit tired,” Baze said. “It's been a while since she had a race under her. She got a little bit late that last part because she didn't have any company. She was doing it all so easy the first half-mile. In the middle of the turn I was looking back to make sure no one was coming. I waited as long as I could before turning her loose. She's kind of a steady horse so I wanted to get the jump on whoever was coming."

Model, second in the Grade I Spinster at Keeneland while making her most recent start on Oct. 5, won for the fourth time in 13 starts. The winner’s share of $41,050 boosted her earnings to $383,536.

“She ran a good race and it set up pretty much as we expected,” said John O’Donoghue, assistant to trainer Neil Drysdale. “She has a high cruising speed and that’s how she likes to run. Michael knows her well — he’s ridden her in the mornings and the afternoons. Neil is at the Kentucky sales today but he is pointing for her to go into the Bayakoa Handicap.”

Espinoza was encouraged by the effort of 13-1 shot Spenditallbaby.

"She ran very nice,” he said. “She tries very hard and was coming strong at the end. I liked the way she ran today. She'll be good the next time she runs."

Eissoai, the second choice, pressed pacesetter and eventual fourth-place finisher Gambler’s Justice, but faded and finished last in the field of six fillies and mares. Her stablemate, Double Trouble, was scratched by trainer Bobby Frankel on Saturday.