DEL Oaks (Grade 3)- $300.000 Purse
DEL- For Fillies Three Years Old
One Mile and One Sixteenth on the Dirt
July 2, 2022

A couple of scratches left us with just four horses for the DEL Oaks, and in a close race on a track listed as good, it would be Matamata picking up the win for Smokey Stover. It is his second win in the race, and he would love for this filly to have the same kind of success that his winner from 2017, Queenwood, would have. The winning jockey is D E Centeno, and he was also aboard Queenwood that year. Congratulations to them! The time of the win was 1:44.30. Here’s a breakdown!

1st- 2- Matamata (Smokey Stover) (9/1)- Stalked the pacesetter early, being the inside horse of three wide down the frontstretch and into the turn. Remained on the rail for the backstretch trip as things would not change with this three wide group at this point. As soon as they reached the turn, this trio would all move down a lane and look to get around Kalthoff Repeater. At the top of the stretch, they were four wide, giving everyone a chance to still pick up the victory. In a good stretch battle, requiring her to dig down deep and show plenty of heart, Matamata would deliver to hold on an win by half a length.

2nd- 6- Feliz Cumpleanos (Maxmillion Farm) (25/1)- Ran three wide in the early going, only a length from the field. Stayed put in the outside lane for the backstretch, but did not look to challenge Kalthoff Repeater any further. Continued to run on the outside, and would move down a lane along with the other two for the stretch. She was fourth of four at this point, but had a clear lane to make her run. While unable to gain on Matamata, late in the stretch, she wuld have a little more power in her stride to complete the exacta.

3rd- 5- Sister Crespi (Nakamura Stables) (1/9)- The overwhelming favorite ran directly behind Kalthoff Repeater as the middle horse of three wide for the entire opening half mile. Handled the turn well, and seemed to be at a good point as they reached the top of the stretch, even though Matamata was a head in front of her. Hung in there during the stretch, but was unable to get around Matamata, although the trainer will be disappointed to have lost out on second.

4th- 3- Kalthoff Repeater (Spankys Barn) (9/1)- Quickest out of the gate, and would run the opening quarter in :23.91, and half in :48.02. Not much would change during the backstretch, as she held the lead by a length. She would lose her advantage in the turn and at the top of the stretch, had them all to her outside. Ran well in the stretch, but the others had a little more at this point, and she ends up fourth of four.

About The Winner- Matamata, trained by Smokey Stover, and ridden to victory by D E Centeno, is a three year old filly by Falling Angel, and is out of Arrowtown. She was bred in California by Smokey Stover as a first quarter two year old, and they have been together throughout. Congratulations to the connections! The win is her fifth in 13 starts, her second stake win, and first graded win. Her career earnings are now $377.230.

Track: Good
Time: :23⁴  :48   1:12²  1:44¹

$2 Mutuel Prices:

$1 Exacta: 2 – 6 Paid 39.80

Scratched: Cmonyalll, Present Tense

— NS

Categories: Grade III, STAKES ARTICLES