Big Late Charge Puts Wet Paint in the Honeybee Stakes Winner’s Circle

By Jennifer Hoyt —-

Photo credit: Coady Photography

Big Late Charge Puts Wet Paint in the Honeybee Stakes Winner’s Circle

HOT SPRINGS, AR (Saturday, Feb. 25, 2023) – Over a wet track, Godolphin’s Wet Paint unveiled a masterpiece by storming from last to first in Saturday’s $300,000 Honeybee Stakes (G3) at Oaklawn.

The winner of the Martha Washington Stakes in her last Hot Springs start is now 3-for-3 on wet tracks and now moves to the top of the leaderboard among 3-year-old filly contenders for the Kentucky Oaks (G1) for trainer Brad Cox with 70 total points.

The daughter of Blame fell behind in the 1 1/16th-mile race over a track labeled sloppy, but navigated through the field under Flavian Prat to nab front-runner Condensation before pulling away to a popular 3-length victory as the 8-5 favorite. Her winning time was 1:45 1/5.

“Going into the first turn I was little concerned,” said Cox. “She was pretty far back and taking a lot of dirt. She showed a lot of heart to be able to handle these conditions today.”

Wet Paint paid $5.40, $3.80 and $3.00 and is now has three wins from five starts. Condensation ($14.00 and $8.60) held second after prompting a fast pace with Grand Love ($4.80) running evenly to finish third. Condensation secured 20 points towards eligibility and Grand Love received 15 points. In addition fourth-place finisher Gambling Girl received 10 and fifth-place finisher Towhead got five points.

Live racing resumes Sunday with a 12:30 p.m. first post.

Stakes Quotes:

Winning trainer Brad, Wet Paint: going into the first turn I was little concerned. She was pretty far back and taking a lot of dirt. She showed a lot of heart to be able to handle these conditions today. She showed she liked the wet track and I think as the distances get longer she’ll keep improving. The Kentucky oaks is our goal and I think timing wise the Fantasy or the Ashland is the next logical goal.”

Winning jockey Flavien Prat, Wet Paint: “To be honest, I was worried about how far back I was. I mean, I didn’t think I had much chance from where I was. She had to give a kick somewhere and that was in the stretch. On the backside I was galloping, but the problem was I was far back and it was a slow pace. But she finished up well.”

Trainer Chris Hartman, second with Condensation: she’s a super nice filly. She ran great today. Down the lane she was pretty green but she showed a lot of heart on the lead.