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Yahoo
2 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Laurelin Keeps Unbeaten Record Intact In Saratoga Oaks
Laurelin Keeps Unbeaten Record Intact In Saratoga Oaks originally appeared on Paulick Report. Newstead Stables' Laurelin kept her perfect record intact with a rallying 1 3/4-length score in Saturday's $500,000 Fasig-Tipton Saratoga Oaks Invitational (G2), a 1 3/16-mile Mellon turf route for sophomore fillies at Saratoga Race Course. Trained by Graham Motion, the Zarak chestnut is undefeated in five starts, beginning with a trio of wins over the Aqueduct Racetrack turf topped by scores in the Tepin in November and the Memories of Silver (L) to kick off her current campaign in April. Laurelin entered from a 1 1/4-length score in the one-mile Penn Oaks over yielding turf in June. 'It's very hard to go 5-for-5 and I don't think I've ever had a horse do that before,' said Motion. 'A lot of things have to go right, and they have to be very good. I feel like we've done right by her and tried to go step-by-step and this was a logical time to go into a graded race. 'It's always a surprise when a horse does what she's done, but we've always thought she was that quality,' Motion added. 'She always acted like she was one of my best 2-year-olds last year.' Totally Justified was sent to the front by Manny Franco to overtake the sharp-starting Opulent Restraint, who exited the inside post under Flavien Prat and was angled off the rail approaching the turn as the opening quarter-mile went by in 23.48 seconds over the firm turf. Opulent Restraint continued to track the pacesetter down the backstretch with Laurelin stalking to the outside of Evershed in front of the European raider Go Go Boots as the half-mile elapsed in 47.60. 'Before we got to the first turn, I already got my filly where I need to be sitting fourth, couple other horses behind me,' Carmouche said. 'I thought the three horses that could have beat me were the two in front of me [Totally Justified and Opulent Restraint] and the one inside of me [Evershed].' Laurelin advanced with purpose through the final turn, moving easily to the outside of Opulent Restraint as Jose Ortiz asked Go Go Boots to follow her run. Laurelin cruised beyond Opulent Restraint and Totally Justified once straightened away and powered home to a smart victory in a final time of 1:52.60. 'I kept this filly in the clear because I didn't want nobody to come outside of me, she did everything on her own,' Carmouche said. 'When I was ready to ask her at the top of the lane, she exploded herself. This horse is a Grade 1 horse, you can feel the confidence and the relaxedness in this horse -- to become a good horse -- that's what we look for in this industry and I think I really got one with this one.' The Dylan Davis-piloted Evershed rallied late to complete the exacta by three-quarter-lengths over Opulent Restraint with Go Go Boots, Totally Justified and Sigh No More completing the order of finish. Go Go Boots was pulled up in the gallop out and provided a ride back to the barn area in the equine ambulance for further evaluation per NYRA's Veterinary Department. Davis said the Arnaud Delacour-trained Evershed performed admirably in her stakes debut, entering from a rallying allowance score versus elders last month at Colonial Downs. 'She didn't really kick, but she was able to keep with the winner, and she ended up galloping out really well, too, so I think she's still learning,' Davis said. 'She's going in the right direction for sure. She ran great. I asked Arnaud if I could stay on her. She's got a lot of potential.' Motion praised the smart trip engineered by Carmouche. 'She seemed like she was always traveling very comfortably, and I felt confident throughout the race,' Motion said. 'I think Kendrick did, too, he just said it was a matter of when he asked her to go. I loved where she was and obviously it's easier in a smaller field, but Kendrick has a great rapport with this filly, and she puts him in a nice spot. 'I must say, the only trouble is neither the owner nor myself have ever been there when she's ran, so I think we're both going to have to stay away from now on,' added Motion, with a laugh. Motion indicated Laurelin could step up to top-flight company next in the Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup (G1) on October 11 at Keeneland. 'I'd love to go to the QEII, that's the Grade 1 that everybody likes to win with 3-year-old fillies. How we get there, I don't know, but that's a race I would like to put a circle around,' Motion said. Bred in Ireland by M. H. Dixon and Mount Coote Estates, Laurelin banked $275,000 in victory and ran her win streak to five. She returned $6.40 for a $2 win bet. This story was originally reported by Paulick Report on Aug 9, 2025, where it first appeared.
New York Times
01-05-2025
- Sport
- New York Times
Analyzing the 2025 Kentucky Oaks field: Favorites, contenders and long shots
'Lilies for the Fillies' isn't quite as well-known as 'Run for the Roses,' but the blanket of lilies that drapes over the winner of the Kentucky Oaks is no less coveted by those with connections to the 14 fillies running Friday at Churchill Downs. Last year's winner, Thorpedo Anna, went on to win Horse of the Year honors and end 2024 with earnings of $3.6 million. While we can't expect another super-filly to emerge from this year's Oaks, we can expect a competitive race and plenty of opportunities to cash tickets. Advertisement Below is a full breakdown of the field for this year's Kentucky Oaks, in post position order. Owner: C2 Racing Stable, Ken Reimer, Paul Braverman, Timothy Pinch, and Bradley Kent Trainer: Saffie Joseph Jr. Jockey: Edgard Zayas Morning line odds: 30-1 This long shot has compiled a decent record, finishing out of the top three only once in six races, but that's the headline, not the story. She's won just once; she took four races to break her maiden; and she's never run in a race at nearly this level. She did finish second by a nose in her only attempt in a graded stakes race — her last out on April 5 — and the horse that beat her, Ballerina d'Oro, is in the Oaks field. Early On's speed figures place her far below what is likely to be competitive here. Owner: Grantley Acres, Ryan Conner, Berkels0813, and CMNWLTH Trainer: Whit Beckman Jockey: Florent Geroux Morning line odds: 10-1 One of the many fillies here who likes to use her speed to gain an early advantage, though she did come from behind to win her first start. Trainer Beckman opted to skip the usual maiden race for her debut, running her in a minor stakes race at Fair Grounds in New Orleans. She won an Oaks prep race there in January — over a sloppy track — and was second to Quietside, a serious contender here, in her only loss. She intrigues at what's likely to be a moderate price, though her short résumé might be a concern. Owner: Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners and Madaket Stables Trainer: Graham Motion Jockey: Irad Ortiz Jr. Morning line odds: 30-1 Graham Motion isn't the sort of trainer to run a horse just to take a shot, and he's known to spring an upset at a favorable price. That said, Fondly is up against it. She's run just twice, winning both, and she had no problem moving from seven furlongs to a mile and 1/16th, suggesting the increased distance may not be a problem. She's never run in a graded stakes race or against company like this, but she's shown she can stalk a pace if necessary. With one of the country's best jockeys in the saddle and one of its most esteemed trainers behind her, don't overlook her, especially underneath in vertical exotics. Advertisement Owner: Legion Racing Trainer: Whit Beckman Jockey: Ben Curtis Morning line odds: 30-1 The second of two horses in the Oaks trained by Louisville's Whit Beckman, Drexel Hill looks to be significantly outmatched. Despite making seven starts, she's never run in a graded stakes race, nor has she raced beyond a mile. She is a closer in a field of speed horses, which could be an advantage, but unless something changes between now and Friday, she's just not fast enough. Owner: Greenwell Thoroughbreds Trainer: Tom Amoss Jockey: Umberto Rispoli Morning line odds: 30-1 This $550,000 yearling purchase looked like a promising filly last year as a 2-year-old. Trainer Amoss started her at two of the country's most prestigious, competitive meets at Saratoga and Keeneland, and she ended the year with a record of one win, one second and two thirds in four races. In two starts this year, she's not the same filly, winless so far in 2025 and really not competitive. She'll need a major turnaround to hit the board here. Owner: Rodeo Creek Racing Trainer: Chad Brown Jockey: Flavien Prat Morning line odds: 10-1 She comes to the race off the narrowest of wins in the Grade 3 Gazelle Stakes at Aqueduct in early April, her first win since breaking her maiden last September. She's been a factor, though, finishing second in the Grade 2 Demoiselle last December, and she finished third in her first start this year off a three-month layoff. She's a versatile runner, comfortable stalking or coming from off the pace, and her speed figures say she can run with her rivals here. Owner: Tracy Farmer Trainer: Mark Casse Jockey: Dylan Davis Morning line odds: 6-1 She's been running in top company since breaking her maiden at Saratoga last summer, and aside from a fifth-place finish in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies, she's done pretty much nothing wrong. She's won two out of three this year, finishing second once, and she's got two graded stakes wins to her credit, including her last race, the Grade 1 Ashland Stakes at Keeneland. She didn't run well in her lone start on an off track (which was also her first start), so maybe tread cautiously if the rains come. Advertisement Owner: Gatsas Stables Trainer: George Weaver Jockey: Manuel Franco Morning line odds: 12-1 Speedy and consistent, this filly has met every challenge thrown at her (except for that stinker of a first start back in August). She's won on turf. She's won on dirt. She relishes distance, and she racked up Oaks qualifying points, finishing fifth on the final leaderboard. She's another wanting to run on or close to the pace, and her speed figures are among the best in the field. She'll be on my tickets. Owner: Baoma Corporation Trainer: Bob Baffert Jockey: Juan Hernandez Morning line odds: 12-1 Bob Baffert is back at Churchill Downs. The Hall of Fame trainer was banned by the track for three years after his horse, Medina Spirit, failed a post-race drug test after winning the 2021 Kentucky Derby. No one will be surprised if he's back in the Louisville winner's circle that he knows so well. However, Baffert's not known for training closers, and this $850,000 filly is also not a closer — though she did come from off the pace in two early races. If she can rate in anticipation of a possible speed duel, she's poised to add to her already substantial trophy collection. She's won five of six starts, including four graded stakes. Owner: James Ball, Magdalena Racing, and Kenneth Rhodes Trainer: Ken McPeek Jockey: Brian Hernandez Jr. Morning line odds: 12-1 A year ago, trainer Ken McPeek brought a modestly bred $40,000 filly to this race, and eight months later, that horse, Thorpedo Anna, was voted Horse of the Year. This filly cost $60,000, though her breeding is a little more impressive, and while she's no Thorpedo Anna, she's run well against her rivals here, aside from a clunker in the Grade 3 Honeybee at Oaklawn Park in February. She's got a versatile running style, and while a win might be out of reach, she should be competitive if she's in top form. Given that multiple outlets have reported that she's dealing with a foot abscess, that's a big 'if,' so proceed cautiously. Advertisement Owner: Godolphin Trainer: Brad Cox Jockey: Luis Saez Morning line odds: 6-5 Undefeated in six starts, she's never been seriously challenged, winning by multiple lengths even as the competition got stiffer and the distances got longer. She won an allowance race by 17 lengths over a sloppy track, and her stalking/closing style is pretty well suited for a race with this much speed. 6-5 is tough to take in a race like this, so I'm happy to let her beat me, but this is one impressive filly. Owner: Bell Racing Trainer: Carlos David Jockey: Junior Alvarado Morning line odds: 30-1 Three months ago, this filly was winless and running in maiden claimers, the lowest tier of racing. She claimed for $50,000, and after winning an optional claimer for new trainer Carlos David, she ran second in the Grade 2 Gulfstream Park Oaks, earning enough points to eke into the Oaks field. She'll be on or close to the pace, and her speed figures since being claimed suggest that she can run with these fillies, something unimaginable a few months ago. Owner: Cypress Creek Equine and Madaket Stables Trainer: Will Walden Jockey: John Velazquez Morning line odds: 30-1 This filly will indeed need to be blessed to have a shot. She's never run in a graded stakes race, and her speed figures are well below what she'll need to be competitive. An off track might move her up a bit, and her stalking/closing style could be useful, but there's nothing on paper that suggests that she'll factor. Owner: Shortleaf Stable Trainer: John Ortiz Jockey: José Ortiz Morning line odds: 8-1 Quietside is an ultra-competitive filly that's never finished worse than third in seven lifetime starts. A multiple stakes winner, she's run in top company since breaking her maiden at Saratoga by 6 1/4 lengths, earning enough Oaks qualifying points to top the final leaderboard at the end of the prep season. This far outside post does her no favors, but she's the one I'm taking. She's got a shot to beat Good Cheer.
