In that flash, the homebred Calumet Farm went from “promising second starter” to Kentucky Oaks (G1) contender, while overwhelming six other talented 3-year-old fillies. Rallying from the last of seven with a quarter mile to go to win the one-turn mile test, the daughter of Lexitonian earned 50 qualifying points for the 1 1/8 mile Kentucky Oaks.
“That’s definitely what we were there for, to try and get some points,” said trainer Todd Pletcher, who took his fourth Davona Dale 20 years after his first when Wait a While captured the race en route to a three-year-old filly championship. “We’ll see how she comes out and come up with a plan for the next start, but the Oaks is the goal.”
In Saturday’s race Omaha Bay who scored a front-runner on her debut in December, broke well to lead the field through a quarter mile in :23.48 and a half mile in :46.15 while being pinned down by Empress and long shot My Mrs. Mo . Halfway through the turn, Omaha Bay and My Miss Mo opened up some space on the field and continued their battle down the stretch.
That’s where She Be Smooth, who had saved ground early under reigning two-time Eclipse Award winner Flavien Prat, advanced four wide to set up her winning stretch move and cover the mile in 1:37.78. She paid $13.60 to win. The dominant victory followed a first career victory at the same distance on Jan. 23 at Gulfstream.
“She was very impressive in both of her starts here,” Pletcher said. “She seems to be steadily improving. I think the more distance the better for her. We thought we might be able to set a good pace. I told Flavien to be patient with her, that she would put in a good late run. He gave her a nice ride. He was able to save ground around the bend and then swerve at the top of the stretch and she finished very nicely.”
“I didn’t want to use her, but suddenly she pulled back, further back than I expected,” Prat said. “It felt like the pace was right. Then I gave her a chance, and when I asked her, she gave me her run.”
The top five finishers in the race that awards Kentucky Oaks points on a 50-25-15-10-5 scheme were rounded out with My Miss Mo, favorite On time girl Omaha Bay, and High diva .
Kentucky Oaks Qualifying Points Standings
The win would prove to be a big one for winning owner/breeder Calumet Farm, as She Be Smooth is the first stakes winner for Lexitonian, sire of the second crop, who is at Calumet Farm. She Be Smooth is the winner of the 2009 Ogden Phipps Handicap (G1) Seattle Smooth by Quiet American. Although She Be Smooth is her dam’s first stakes winner, the mare has produced seven winners from eight starters, including Grade 3-placed Seattle Slang.
Lexitonian, which also features 2025 stakes winners Indeed , Fire and wine And Ritzaphena listed for $7,500 at Calumet Farm near Lexington.
Video: Davona Dale S. presented by Inglis Digital USA (G2)
#Smooth #overpowers #Davona #Dale #Stakes #rivals