The IND Oaks (Grade 3)- $200.000 Purse
IND- For Fillies Three Years Old
One Mile and One Sixteenth on the Dirt
July 9, 2022

Unlike the DEL Handicap, the IND Oaks did not really have that one horse that stood out. Most seemed to have a good shot at taking home the victory while having one thing about them that may have caused a little concern about their chances. It was certainly a great opportunity for one of these horses to make a statement, and doing so would be Shadow Police, for Smokey Stover. She spent a lot of time running against the boys this spring and particularly enjoyed her time at OP. Now, after a disappointing performance in the Acorn, she returns to the winner’s circle and will surely be one to watch over the next few months. Smokey Stover is now a two time winner of the race, as he won last year as well, with Sensual Eruption. Jockey G Corrales is a first time winner. Congratulations to them! The time of the win was 1:42.06, not one of the quicker times, but all that was needed. Let’s take a look!

(1/4 Mile- :23.64)- The ambitiously placed Royal Oil jumps out to the early lead, doing so by a length for South Shore Stables. Right behind her is the eventual winner, Smokey Stover’s Shadow Police, who chases the pacesetter while positioning herself to move to the outside of her when ready. Angelic, who loves finishing third, ran in that spot early for D J C Racing Stables, and Present Tense (Mb Stables) was to her outside. Say Bye Bye (Arindel) was at the back, but was only four lengths from the front.

(½ Mile- :47.62)- Moving around the turn and into the backstretch, the field was tightly packed together with just two lengths separating first from last. The lead now belongs to Shadow Police, who comfortably stayed in her lane and completed the pass of Royal Oil early in the backstretch. That one hangs on to second for now, but they are three wide behind her. Angelic was going to be boxed in for a bit, and that would potentially be true for Say Bye Bye was well, who was in the middle. Present Tense had a clear lane in front of her for the turn.

(Top Of Stretch, 1.5F To Go)- Almost right after the half mile point above, Shadow Police picked it up a notch, clearing Royal Oil before they even reached the turn, but more importantly, putting some distance between herself and the rest of the field. She would round the term well, and by the time they reached the top of the stretch, she had over a two length lead. Safe to say, she was looking very good at this point, but the race was not over yet. Angelic moved into the second position, and Present Tense would loom as a threat on the outside. Say Bye Bye tried to hang in there, but was having a tough time doing so. Royal Oil was done.

(Finish- 1:42.06)- Running well on the rail, Shadow Police had plenty left to handle the stretch and win the race by close to two lengths. It looked like Angelic might hold on for second, but she didn’t want that to happen, and Present Tense took that spot so Angelic could get another third place finish on her resume. It was a distant three lengths to Say Bye Bye. At some point, Royal Oil eventually finished, we are told.

About The Winner- Shadow Police, trained by Smokey Stover and ridden to victory by G Corrales, is a three year old filly by State Police, and is out of Shadow Island. She was bred as a second quarter two year old in New York by Smokey Stover, and they have been together throughout. Congratulations to the connections! The win is her fifth in nine starts, and her third stake win, all of which are graded. Her career earnings improve to $1,158.400.

Track: Fast
Time: :23³  :47³  1:11   1:42

$2 Mutuel Prices:

$1 Exacta: 4 – 5 Paid 15.30
$1 Trifecta: 4 – 5 – 2 Paid 47.60

Scratched: None

— NS

Categories: Grade III, STAKES ARTICLES