Tod Pletcher does it again! This time at the TVG Coaching Club American Oaks a grade 1 race held on July 20 at the Saratoga Race course. Jockey Javier Castellano aboard Princess of Sylmar breezed past with a six length victory at the 1 1/8 mile race.
My Happy Face who was at the lead from the start set the pace till the last stretch when Princess of Sylmar took the outside and gave a strong finish! I was astonished at the last minute speed that she picked up and made it seem like an easy win over the other runners.
Sired by Majestic Warrior and Dam Storm Dixie the three year old filly seemed to be at pace in the beginning, letting My Happy Face take an uncontested leading.
For the ones who thought her win at the Kentucky Oaks was a fluke, were shut to silence with the victory today! Tod Pletcher said; "I think everyone kind of lost sight of the fact that going into the Kentucky Oaks, it was billed as the best Oaks we've seen in 25 years; this filly wins it and gets virtually no respect," Pletcher said. "I think today she put herself at the top of the leader board (for 3-year-old fillies), and now everyone understands that the Kentucky Oaks was a real race." – Bloodhorse.
Princess of Sylmar has six victories in her past seven starts, back again almost after a month; this was a well deserved victory. Unlimited Budget another of Pletcher’s trained was nowhere to be seen on the final turn and ended up last in the five horse field. Marathon Lady and Cue the Moon were in the order of finish. Letting the filly decide her own rhythm during the race is believed to have done the trick for the Pletcher Team.
With the start of the race it seemed likely for Joel Rosario aboard My Happy Face who had a 1 ½ length lead over Cue Moon and Marathon lady to be winning the race, however with the final turn, Princess of Sylmar geared her way ahead. It was disappointing to see Unlimited Budget behind the troop, the hit at the gates gave him a slow start resulting in his unforeseen run at the race.
As for Princess of Sylmar, my new found favorite, I will be looking forward to her next race!
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Princess of
Sylmar reigns the CCA Oaks with a 5 ½ lengths win over My Happy Face (runner
up).
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I agree with you Laura, Princess of Sylmar is one of the greatest among 3 year old filly. A dominating winner of the Busanda and Busher Stakes at the Aqueduct Race course this winter the only time when she placed second was at the Gazelle Stakes a group 2 stake race at the main tracks of Aqueduct behind Close Hatches by 3 ¼ lengths. At the Kentucky Oaks charging in from behind 10 lengths to finally win with half a length win over champion 2 year old filly Beholder; this filly has done more than great!
ReplyDeleteTo top that up… Princess of Sylmar came out from behind again winning the Alabama Stakes which gives her three grade 1 victories making her the champion 3 year old filly of the season. My Blog Princess Sylmar – Champion 3 year old filly gives more details http://racinggamesaficionado.blogspot.com/.