By US Racing Staff
The $1.25 million Kentucky Oaks (G1) turned into an international affair after Pretty Mischievous made a stretch run to victory on Friday at Churchill Downs in front of a crowd of 106,381.
The Kentucky-bred filly was ridden by Florida-born Tyler Gaffalione, trained by Irishman Brendan Walsh, and owned by Dubai Shiekh Mohammed’s Godolphin, LLC.
“I’m absolutely ecstatic for the team,’’ Walsh said after his filly held off Gambling Girl by a neck. “We always thought she was a great filly from day one.”
The Oaks win was the first for the jockey, trainer, and owner, and as Gaffalione crossed the finish line he raised an arm and shouted “Wooooo!” as he galloped out the winner.
“It’s amazing. I feel so blessed,’’ he said. “The trip worked out perfectly. I stayed out of her way and she took me the whole way. What an incredible filly.”
Wet Paint, the 8-5 favorite trained by Brad Cox and owned by Godolphin, raced in mid-pack rather than farther back as is her style but did not have her usual strong finishing kick and ran fourth. The Alys Look was third.
Pretty Mischievous, sent off at 10-1, returned $22.74 for a $2 win ticket. Winning time for the 1 1/8 miles was 1:49.77.
The victory was the fifth in seven starts (7-5-1-1) for Pretty Mischievous, who began her career at Churchill Downs with two wins in three starts. The winner’s share of the purse was $767,250, increasing the filly’s earnings to $1,268,560.
A full field of 14 left the gate without incident in the 149th edition of the Oaks as Flying Connection led through fractions of :23.07, :46.96 and 1:11.28 with Defining Purpose to her outside and Dorth Vader just behind. Gaffalione had Pretty Mischievous in the clear four wide and began moving on the far turn that propelled her to the lead at the top of the stretch. She opened up on the field and held off a closing Gambling Girl.
“This is the kind of thing you dream about, to win a Grade 1, especially the Oaks at Churchill Downs, it’s a long way from Cork in Ireland,’’ Walsh said. “It’s indescribable, it’s exactly what we’re here for, and why these guys (Godolphin) breed these good horses, and why everybody works so hard.”