In some instances, the third time is the charm. And that turned out to be the case for one filly at Del Mar on September 1, 1955.

But her story actually began late in the Hollywood Park spring/summer meet that year. Debuting in mid-July for Dos Estrella Stud at the Track of the Lakes and Flowers, Cipria squared off against nine fellow fillies in a six furlong sprint. Far back the whole way, she finished eighth in her first outing at the races.

A change of scenery followed, and Cipria was sent to Del Mar. Back in action a few weeks later, her bow by the beach did not go much better as she only improved one position after another spin around three-quarters of a mile.

Not too many people gave Cipria a chance of winning either time, as she went off at high odds when the wagering was done. And given the previous results she turned in, very few were inclined to back her in start number three during the last stretch of the Del Mar meet.

Again tasked with running six furlongs, Cipria faced a field consisting of nine other fillies. The longest shot in the field by far at over 130-1, Cipria teamed up again with Carlos Cruz, who had been in the irons a week earlier. With the same jockey and the usual high odds, a couple of constants surrounded Cipria prior to the race even being run.

But when the action began, a notable change played out in front of the crowd. After being off the pace and a non-factor in her other starts, Cipria was in contention early. Settling in second place, she trailed only Ryana Rose after the first quarter-mile. At odds of more than 7-1, Ryana Rose produced a quick pace, going :22 3/5 for the opening split and :45 3/5 for the half-mile. But Cipria was not far behind at either point, well within range of the leader.

The distance between them shrunk in the stretch, as Ryana Rose's advantage was only a head. By this time, race favorite Count Poise was well off the pace in sixth. After Golden Oscar's win at 6-1 in the opener, another horse prevailing at a price was on the verge of happening.

A few moments later, that scenario indeed played out at Del Mar. A horse won at a price, and did so by a very small margin. Well beaten at Hollywood Park and in her first Del Mar start, Cipria shocked the fans and lit up the tote board with a payout of $263.40 after topping Ryana Rose by a head. Now a race winner, Cipria also became Del Mar's biggest longshot winner of all time.

The results of the early double foreshadowed how the rest of the program would play out. None of the favorites reached the wire first that day, and every winner paid at least $10. But none of them brought a bigger surprise to the program than Cipria.

And well into the 21st century, no other horse at Del Mar has won at bigger odds than Cipria.