Another well-timed closing run by Cinderella’s Dream under top jockey William Buick produced an easy victory in the $400,000 Saratoga Oaks (G2) at Saratoga Race Course on Friday.
Cinderella’s Dream. Coglianese Photo
European import Cinderella’s Dream dominated in the Saratoga Oaks
Trained by Charlie Appleby, the bay filly made it 2-for-2 in America with a 1 ½-length triumph, a repeat performance of her closing rush in winning the Belmont Oaks (G1) at Aqueduct on July 6.
While the turf was listed as firm, the field was reduced to five after the trainer scratches of Segesta and Greenfinch. No matter, Cinderella’s Dream was the class of the field in winning for the sixth time in seven career starts for owner Godolphin.
Macanga, under John Velazquez, set the pace but never looked comfortable through three-quarters of a mile. And by the time the field turned for home, Kathynmarrissa was on the lead, but Buick had Cinderella’s Dream rolling on the outside, passing her rivals cruising past the wire, covering the 1 3/16 miles in 1:54.92.
“She’s obviously a classy filly and the class of the race,’’ Appleby said. “The only reservation I had is that she put up such a big figure there last time (Belmont Oaks) that I was always concerned whether there would be a bounce out of that. To be fair to the team, they were always confident that she was in good order.”
Sent off at 3-10, Cinderella’s Dream, bred in Great Britain, returned $2.60 on a $2 win bet, and could be headed next to either the E. P. Taylor (G1) At Woodbine on Sept. 14 or the Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup (G1) at Keeneland on Oct. 12.
Kathynmarissa was second, followed by Dancing N Dixie, Movin’ On Up, and Macanga.
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