The 18th Running of the G3 FL Oaks
March 12, 2022 14:35
TAM Race #8 $200.000
11/16 Turf 3YOF 120 Lbs (plus penalties)
Track Record-1:38.90 (Salty Sam-2012)
Stakes Record-1:39.62 (Girl Talk-2015)
The $200.000 G3 FL Oaks was reduced to field of five on Saturday as Kiss Me Kelsie was withdrawn due to the moisture in the turf course. In retrospect, it may not have mattered who lined-up against Demanding Commander; they were always running for 2nd-place. In a breathtaking display, Demanding Commander skipped over the yielding TAM turf course while leaving her closest competitor six-lengths in her rearview at the wire. A G1-winner on dirt as a juvenile, Demanding Commander showed that, regardless of surface, she is a serious racehorse.
Demanding Commander got away well from post three and took up a stalking position along the rail as Swam Pass took the field through an opening quarter in :23.75. The eventual winner moved into a joint-second with Tell Milady as Swam Pass completed the opening half-mile in :47.89. She tipped-off of the rail entering the turn and fully engaged Swam Pass 3.5-furlongs from home.
The engagement was brief as Demanding Commander quickly spurted away from Swam Pass and set sail for the wire. She was two lengths ahead after she completed three-quarters in 1:12.29 and the only drama left would be the margin of victory and who would complete the exotics. As Demanding Commander put the finishing touches on her tour de force, Stayinschoolrene was able to get past her three rivals to secure the place. Tell Milady got the nod over Ode To My Family for the show honors and Swam Pass completed the order of finish.
With the win, Demanding Commander now has $365.640 in earnings and an 8-4-0-1 race record. Congratulations to Hippyheart and his dual-surface GSW filly for their victory in the G3 FL Oaks at TAM.
Categories: STAKES ARTICLES
