Kentucky Derby (G1) winner Mystik Dan isn’t the one grade 1-winning 3-year-old despatched west for an opening-day stakes race at Santa Anita Park Dec. 26.
Apart from that colt, who returns to motion within the Malibu Stakes (G1), current Queen Elizabeth II Problem Cup Stakes (G1) winner She Feels Fairly pursues a follow-up top-level stakes victory within the $300,000 American Oaks (G1T) towards a dozen different 3-year-old fillies.
Additionally a grade 1 winner at 2 when she gained the Natalma Stakes (G1T) at Woodbine, She Feels Fairly can surpass $1 million in earnings for proprietor Lael Stables with both a first- or a second-place end within the American Oaks. On the heels of her six-length triumph within the Oct. 12 Queen Elizabeth II Problem Cup triumph at Keeneland, she might be favored to win towards a lineup that features Dueling Grounds Oaks Invitational Stakes winner Kathynmarissa .
Geared up with blinkers for the primary time within the QEII and stored behind horses early earlier than proven daylight within the stretch by Corridor of Fame jockey John Velazquez, She Feels Fairly, skilled by Cherie DeVaux, exploded to finish 1 1/8 miles in 1:46.50. Her remaining eighth of a mile was timed in :11.63.
Join BloodHorse DailyVideo: Queen Elizabeth II Problem Cup S. Introduced by Dixiana (G1T)
Together with many within the discipline, she is racing the longest distance of her profession within the 1 1/4-mile American Oaks. Solely as soon as has she raced past 1 1/8 miles when she weakened to 3rd as the favourite within the 1 3/16-mile Belmont Oaks Invitational Stakes (G1T) in July. In that race, as in a few of her different losses, the daughter of Karakontie pressed the tempo and got here up a bit empty within the lane.
Drawn in publish 8 with 5 horses exterior her and 7 to her inside, Velazquez might be able to tuck her behind horses with cowl.
The 1 1/4-mile distance would seem to pose no problem for Kathynmarissa, who pulled away to attain by 2 1/2 lengths within the Sept. 11 Dueling Floor Oaks over 1 5/16 miles, one lap across the sweeping Kentucky Downs oval. The American Pharaoh filly has but to win a graded stakes race however was second within the Saratoga Oaks Invitational Stakes (G2T) over the summer time.
The Michael Caruso and Michael Dubb-owned runner additionally has expertise over the Santa Anita Park grass course, having scored a maiden win on the Southern California observe early in her profession.
Frankie Dettori rides for coach Rick Dutrow.
Different contenders within the American Oaks embody Watchtower and Medoro , who respectively completed 1-2 within the one-mile Autumn Miss Stakes (G3T) at Santa Anita Oct. 27.
Entries: American Oaks (G1T)Santa Anita Park, Thursday, December 26, 2024, Race 11Grade I1 1/4mDownhill turf $300,0003 yo Fillies4:00 PM (native)
