The IND Oaks – Grade II
1 1/16 Mile Dirt Stake Purse $200.00 Filly 3 Year Olds.

1st Proud Bird, trained by Mb Stables
This lightly raced filly got the perfect run stalking the lead and then
proving far too strong down the stretch. Following up her win in the Selene
last time she is really coming to herself and may be timing an attack on
the BC perfectly.

2nd Track Queen, trained by Heavens Own
Dropped back but was never too far off the pace and kept on strongly for
second. This was a much better effort after her disappointment in the
Acorn.

3rd Aldonza, trained by John Henry
Was close enough but could not quicken up to catch the first two. This
wasnt a bad effort but the very fact that her old trainer beat him says
this is about as good as she is going to get.

4th Heart Nebulae, Samlam
Made the running from the wide gate but suffered the same fate as she did
in the SA Oaks weakening into fourth. She deserves a good win but is still
fairly inexperienced and her time will come.

SUMMARY
The winner and the third got the rails run in this race which seemed to make
the difference as Track Queen was forced wide for much of the race and Heart
Nebulae apparently went too fast too soon. Halloween Candy had a horrible start
and made up plenty at the end and she may be the improver in the race.

Categories: Grade II, STAKES ARTICLES