CT Oaks (Grade 3)- $300.000 Purse
CT- For Three Years Old
Seven Furlongs on the Dirt
September 21, 2019

Sharp Suit has never gotten much respect from the betting public. Beyond looking at her past performances, one can see that she is often a big longshot and this was despite winning the Eight Belles. However, we showed her much more love in the preview, making her our second choice and suggesting that she should be played if those odds climb again. I was surprised to see her at long odds again, this time at 13/1, making her the second longest shot on the board. That did not stop her, and she would reward those who did pick her to win by capturing the third graded win of her career. No one will enjoy this result more then her trainer, Rampage Stable, who wins the stake for the first time. So too, does jockey F Geroux. The time of the win was 1:21.81, and that is a new stake record. Congratulations to them! Let’s take a look at this underappreciated horse, and her victory!

(1/4 Mile- :23.10)- Not surprisingly, Gingers A Ten, a typical frontrunner, is out on the lead again for Maxmillion Farm. Her lead is a length over Florence Nightingale, from Mb Stables. Test of Time runs third on the rail for Aer Stables, and then we come to our eventual race winner. Sharp Suit is not bothered by the early pace and sits in a good striking position, three lengths out. Dancing Hero is next for Gdp Inc. Following her, it’s the post time favorite, and the only one we put ahead of 13/1 longshot Sharp Suit, and that is Smokey Stover’s Kalaeloa. (Of course, if I knew Kalaeloa would be 7/5 and Sharp Suit would be 13/1, I’m taking Sharp Suit all day). Her start was a little awkward, and as a normal frontrunner, I wonder if this was an aggressive start instruction and missing the break with it. At the back is John Henry’s Tommy Frazier.

(½ Mile- :46.08)- Not a lot changes in the second quarter of the race. Gingers A Ten is still out in front, though Florence Nightingale is starting to inch closer to her now along the outside. Test Of Time maintains a steady stride, but was neither moving forward or back. Meanwhile, we start to see some interest from Sharp Suit now, about midway through the backstretch. She is still three lengths off the pace, but is beginning to set up the pass of Test Of Time while positioning herself for the run at the leaders. Dancing Hero and Kalaeloa were each a length behind her, and Tommy Frazier was nearby as well.

(Top Of Stretch, 1F To Go)- Rounding the turn and moving into the stretch, Mb Stables had to be happy here with Florence Nightingale. She had put away Gingers A Ten, and had a length lead. Sharp Suit would handle the turn well, but did not make an overpowering move over the course of it. Instead, she would have a calculated advance, pulling to within a length and a half of the lead while having four rivals hot on her tail. Dancing Hero had been keeping pace with her, but she was always a length behind her and somehow had to find a way to make that up. Kalaeloa was now five wide, and if the run was there, she could advance her position well, but maybe running from behind and passing others is just not her style.

(Finish- 1:21.81)- In the stretch, Sharp Suit showed the kind of stretch kick that she has provided before, and this would get her the win, by a nose over Florence Nightingale, who certainly made her earn it. Running third was Dancing Hero, who was excellent in the stretch, but never could make up that nagging length to Sharp Suit she had all the way around the track. For Sharp Suit, this is another graded win and an overall impressive horse. Let’s start showing her love on race day, she has earned it. Fine, it’s an automated program that sets those odds, but it’s still fun to point out. Kalaeloa did run well to finish fourth, but I would expect to see her near the front again early on in her next start. Gingers A Ten is fifth, ahead of Tommy Frazier and Test Of Time. Just two lengths separated first from last.

About the Winner- Sharp Suit, trained by Rampage Stable, and ridden to victory by F Geroux, is a three year old filly by Virtual Realism, and is out of Soon Suit. She was bred in West Virginia by the trainer as a yearling, keeping them together throughout! Congratulations to the connections! The win is her fifth win in 12 starts, and her third stake win, all of which are graded. Her career earnings are $591.600.

Track: Fast
Time: :23   :46   1:09²  1:21⁴

$2 Mutuel Prices:

$1 Exacta: 6 – 2 Paid 198.50
$1 Trifecta: 6 – 2 – 3 Paid 506.10

Scratched: None

— NS

Categories: Grade III, STAKES ARTICLES