DMR Oaks (Grade 1)- $300.000 Purse
DMR- For Fillies Three Years Old
One Mile and One Eighth on the Turf
August 16, 2025

Seven fillies took part in the DMR Oaks Saturday evening, and the odds for most of them were all very similar, leaving the race to have an up for grabs feel to it. At the end, it would not disappoint, as six of the seven horses finished within a length of one another. Coming out on top would be a filly who’s been good and consistent but also needed a true signature win for her resume. She now has hit, as Fierce Competitor is now a Grade 1 winner, grabbing the fourth win in the race for Mb Stables. He’s now won it in every odd numbered year since 2019. The winning rider is D E Centeno, his first such win. Congratulations to them! The time of the win was 1:46.14, not one of the quickest winning times, but all that was needed. Let’s take a look at it:

(½ Mile- :47.27)- Four horses battle it out for the early lead right from the gate, into the frontstretch, and then into the opening turn. After a half mile, little has separated them, and it is Spb Racing’s Risky Valuation with the slightest of advantages while on the far outside. The eventual winner of the race, Mb Stables’ Fierce Competitor is second while on the rail, narrowly ahead of the Royalty Stables- trained Misty Rain. Infiltrate is fourth for TwinTowersRacing, keeping within half a length. There’s a gap of about to three to Saratoga Stud’s United Knightley, with the other Royalty Stables entry, Ailin, right behind her. It’s about two more to the trailer, and massive longshot, Chilukki (Pan Farms).

(3/4 Mile- 1:10.78)- Fierce Competitor looks to get the better of the other three she has been running with down the backstretch and has inched away by half a length over Misty Rain and Risky Valuation. Infiltrate is a full length back but should not be ruled out at this point. United Knightley is still about two and a half lengths behind them, with Ailin following her. Chilukki continues to trail the field.

(Top of Stretch, 1.5F To Go)- As the field moves around then turn, and into the top of the stretch, Fierce Competitor has won the battle with the other three that had been up front with her early. Misty Rain was now behind her by a length, Risky Valuation was tiring out while on the outside, and Infiltrate was, at best, running evenly. This did not mean the race was in the bag for Fierce Competitor as United Knightey had been cutting into the lead and had time to get there. To a lesser extent, Ailin was also doing this, but the same cannot be said for Chilukki.

(Finish- 1:46.14)- With a furlong to go, Fierce Competitor seemed to have it wrapped up, and in the end, she would hang on to grab the win, but it would not be as easy as it seemed like it would be. United Knightley shifted to an opening on the rail, Ailin was coming on nicely, and then Fierce Competitor began getting leg weary. Suddenly, then, even Misty Rain and Infiltrate were creeping back into it. Risky Valuation was trying her best as well. In the end, a photo finish would occur, but Fierce Competitor had the wire come up just in time for the win! United Knightley is second, with Ailin taking the third spot. In a very tight photo for the fourth-place money, Misty Rain held off Risky Valuation and Infiltrate. And even though she was last, Chilukki found some late run to only be beaten by two.

About the winner- Fierce Competitor, trained by Mb Stables and ridden to victory by D E Centeno, is a three-year-old filly by People Pleaser and is out of Lion Pride. She was bred in Ontario by Mb Stables as a first quarter two-year-old, and they have been together throughout. Congratulations to the connections! The win is her third in nine starts and first stake win. Her career earnings are now $328.480.

Track: Firm
Time: :47¹  1:10³  1:34¹  1:46

$2 Mutuel Prices:

$1 Exacta: 1 – 5 Paid 22.70
$1 Trifecta: 1 – 5 – 7 Paid 98.10

Scratched: None

— NS

Categories: Grade I, STAKES ARTICLES