9 GP The GP Oaks (GII) [KYO]
$250.000 3yoF 1 1/16m Dirt 122lbs
Winegum Wishes was content to let the speed burn itself out in Saturday’s The GP Oaks (GII), with a big purse and a black-type prestige on the line. Evidently the bay filly knew she’d get a much better path to the wire than in her previous race… and she did, and she won… by a comfortable two length margin, getting the mile and a sixteenth in a zippy 1.41.79. The Belle Tolls was always in contention, but could not hold off the winner and had to settle for the second spot, bettering Uzume in third and Rebel Genie in fourth.
Away from the gate in the bright sunshine of Hallandale, the field made the short run towards the clubhouse turn with Hollywood Witch away quickest of all, Never Forgotten, The Belle Tolls and Uzume giving chase. Rebel Game just in behind that trio with Steady Acquaintance from the far outside. They were followed by the trio of Natural Command along the rail, Irrefutable on the outside and Winegum Wishes between horses, then Fashionable, Chraming You and Lordess away slowest of all.
Around the clubhouse turn and on to the backside, they had five and a half furlongs to run and Steady Acquaintance had moved up to take the lead by thee-quarters of a length. Holly Witch to her inside in second with The Belle Tolls a length and a half back in third. Never Forgotten three wide, Uzume along the hedge and Rebel Genie between horses, then a gap of two back to Natural Command along the rail, Winegum Wishes to his outside and Irrefutable just off of that pair, three wide. Another gap to Fashionable, Charming You and Lordess continued to trail, well off of the leader.
Down the backside and now midway on the far turn, this was starting to tighten up pretty quick. Hollywood Witch on the rail in front by a half length, Steady Acquaintance on her flank, The Belle Tolls four wide, Uzume in between horses, Never Forgotten five wide and Winegum Wishes up quickly five wide. Back to the rail, Natural Command, Rebel Genie next to her, then a gap to Irrefutable, Fashionable, Lordess and Charming You was now the back marker.
Into the lane and past the furlong marker, Wingum Wishes swopped up around the turn and was set down to go past everyone, now leading by two
lengths, The Belle Tolls and Uzame trying to find more, four across the track chasing that pair… but now nearing the wire, this was about Wingum Wishes and she cruised home to win by two. The Belle Tolls continued on well to be second, three quarters of a length in front of Uzame. Rebel Game edged out Natural Command for fourth, Never Forgotten just a nose further back in sixth, another nose to Irrefutable in seventh, Fashionable eighth, Lordess ninth, Steady Acquaintance tenth, Hollywood Witch eleventh and Charming You closed this one out.
Winegum Wishes is a 3yo bay filly by Champagne Wishes – Bonbon Girl, by Secret King, and she was bred in NY by her owner, Croker CGS. This was her third win from eight starts, her first graded stakes win and she now shows earnings of $294.520.
$2 Mutuel Prices:
| 4 – Winegum Wishes | 24.20 | 14.70 | 4.10 |
| 8 – The Belle Tolls | 5.10 | 3.60 | |
| 2 – Uzume | 8.60 |
Track: Fast Time: :231 :463 1:103 1:413
$1 Exacta: 4 – 8 Paid 24.60 $1 Trifecta: 4 – 8 – 2 Paid 481.90
Scratched: Naughtygirlsneedlove, Shake The Stick
Windegum Wishes broke in hand, allowed to settle off of the pace, swept up four wide on the turn, continued wide down the lane while winning without challenge. The Belle Tolls broke alertly, on or near the pace throughout, no answer for the winner, safe for the place. Uzume was never far from the pace while forwardly placed, all out for the show. Rebel Genie broke well, sat just in behind the early pace, lost position through the far turn, re-broke, just missed the show. Natural Command taken off of the pace, ground saving trip, could not improve. Never Forgotten close to the pace to the top of the lane, tired from there. Irrefutable was not a factor. Fashionable was never involved. Lordess away poorly, outrun. Steady Acquaintance sharp from the break, on or near the lead to the far turn, folded. Hollywood Witch quick from the start, set or near the pace to the top of the lane, nothing left. Charming You dull effort.
Categories: STAKES ARTICLES
