The MTH Oaks – Grade III
1 1/16 Mile Dirt Stake Purse $150.000 Filly 3 Year Olds.

1st Puerto Princesa Paradise Stable Rodriguez A R

With a good few on pace runners in this race it was always going to be a tactical affair and as it turned out the wide gate speed push and plenty of guts won the race in the end. Using the wide gate she shot out of the gate and easily crossed to a clear lead in the first quarter from then on she didnt really ease up keeping up a good gallop into the stretch. I must admit there was probably a good few that expected a closer to run over the top of her but though she was visibly slowing down nothing could get to her in time and she held on for a half length win. Her last two starts have been a great improvement on her state bred form before and her trainer will be very pleased they took the step up gamble in her last two starts.

2nd Nuclear Tweet Smokey Stover Esquivel E

Normally a front runner herself she couldnt beat the outside speed push today and ran the stalk the whole way in what was the second best position to be in in the end. Her best efforts have come from the front due to her lack of a turn of foot when coming from behind and in the end though she kept on gamely enough but once again from behind the lead she couldnt quicken enough to beat the winner. A brave attempt at five in row.

3rd Outside Shot D J C Racing Stables DeCarlo C P

This one was the first deep closer home which was surprising as i felt she could have won this race as it was set up for a closer. After a good start she was pulled right back and of course found traffic as she was pulled out to make her run. It still looked like she had time to collar the front two but after getting free air and making up a lot of ground she hit a flat spot half way down the run in. Faltering for about five strides she then got going again and was gaining quickly but the post came too soon. This wasnt the best ride in the world but she ran well enough again and her turn will come.

4th Really Healthy La Canada Racehorses Diaz H R Jr

Found a good enough position but like the third horse never really got going and though she ran on well she could only manage fourth in the end. This was an odd sort of run similar to her last start and i do wonder whether she is another without a telling turn of foot that needs to be ridden nearer the lead.

Categories: Grade III, STAKES ARTICLES