SPECIAL RELATIVITY ROLLS HOME LATE IN AMERICAN BEAUTY; TARAZ WALTZES IN MARTHA WASHINGTON
By Jennifer Hoyt —-
HOT SPRINGS, AR (Saturday, Feb. 1, 2020) – A relatively short time between starts proved no problem for M and M Racing’s Special Relativity, as she and jockey Orlando Mojica came up with the winning formula in Saturday’s $125,000 American Beauty Stakes before a crowd of 14,000 at Oaklawn.
The 5-year-old mare finished second in the Pippin Stakes just seven days ago, but had enough energy to come right back and emerge from a four-horse charge through the stretch to win the six furlong contest over Irish Mischief by 4 1/4-lengths in 1:10.91.
“She ran great,” trainer Robertino Diodoro said. “She’s a really nice mare. I was a little worried when I saw her down on the inside, but Orlando gave her a great ride when he was able to split horses and get to the outside. I can’t say enough about her and the job everyone did with her. She’s my assistant Ike Green’s favorite horse. He’s done a lot of work with her. It’s been a team effort.”
“She ran big today,” Mojica said. “I knew there were some nice horses in there today. I stayed behind and waited to see what would happen. I was begging the two horses in front of me to get tired. It worked out perfect for me.”
Those two horses were defending champion Amy’s Challenge and Mt. Brave. They sprinted clear of the pack and set fast fractions that left them at the mercy of Irish Mischief and the winner turning for home.
Special Relativity paid $14.00, 4.80 and 3.00, with Irish Mischief at 3.80 and 2.60. Mt. Brave held on for third at 3.00. Amy’s Challenge held fourth as the 4/5 favorite while making her first start since last May.
“She ran good off the layoff,” jockey David Cohen said after riding Amy’s Challenge. “Maybe she needed one. Felt good. Look forward to her next race.”
Diodoro said the American Beauty was supposed to be Special Relatively’s last race and that she is booked to Into Mischief, but the final decision to retire the 5-year-old Cowboy Cal mare would come after discussion with owner Mike Sisk. After Saturday’s win, her record stands at 8-5-6 from 26 career starts and she has earned $535,900.
Live racing resumes Sunday with a special first post of 12:30 p.m. to accommodate fans wishing to get home in time for the Big Game.
For more information, visit www.oaklawn.com or call 501-623-4411. Oaklawn – A New Level of Racing
TARAZ WALTZES IN MARTHA WASHINGTON
HOT SPRINGS, AR (Saturday, Feb. 1, 2020) – Juddmonte Farms, Inc.’s Taraz is already a heavyweight, but she proved light on her feet as she waltzed to an easy victory in Saturday’s $150,000 Martha Washington Stakes at Oaklawn, pushing her record to 3-for-3.
The 3-year-old filly is already big for her age, and she used that size to power to the lead despite starting a step slow in the four-horse race. She took jockey Florent Geroux to the front after a furlong and was never threatened for the rest of the one mile contest. She won by 3 3/4-lengths over O Seraphina in 1:38:64. She paid $2.20 and 2.10 as the 1/9 favorite.
“I love her,” said Geroux, who never had to unleash his riding crop. “She ended up good today. I think she’s definitely super talented.”
The other three fillies in the race followed Taraz around in order, with High On Gin third and Princesinha Julia fourth. The scratch of Shedaresthedevil forced the cancellation of show wagering.
“It was a big effort in her first race around two turns,” said trainer Brad Cox. “We knew she would be tough to catch, but she has a lot of improving to do. Her talent is there but she needs to settle down mentally.”
Cox wouldn’t name a next start for the homebred daughter of Into Mischief. She won the Letellier Memorial Stakes at Fair Grounds in her prior start after breaking her maiden at Churchill Downs last November.
Live racing resumes Sunday with a special first post of 12:30 p.m. to accommodate fans wishing to get home in time for the Big Game.
For more information, visit www.oaklawn.com or call 501-623-4411. Oaklawn – A New Level of Racing.