Tarifa prevails in Fair Grounds Oaks; Everland rallies in Bourbonette Oaks

Mar 23, 2024 Kellie Reilly/Brisnet.com

Tarifa wins the Fair Grounds Oaks (G2) at Fair Grounds (Photo by Hodges Photography / Credit to Lou Hodges, Jr.)

Godolphin’s homebred Tarifa came out on top of a tussle with Our Pretty Woman in Saturday’s $388,000 Fair Grounds Oaks (G2), adding 100 points to her ledger for the Kentucky Oaks (G1). Tarifa, the 3-2 favorite after her victory in the main prep, the Rachel Alexandra (G2), now tops the Oaks leaderboard with a grand total of 150 points.

Tarifa was also kicking off a big-race double at Fair Grounds for trainer Brad Cox and jockey Flavien Prat, who later teamed up with Catching Freedom to win the Louisiana Derby (G2).

By champion Bernardini, Tarifa was a bit overeager entering the first turn, in a tight spot behind the heels of front-running Our Pretty Woman. But Prat got her to switch off into a stalking position, and from that point on, Tarifa had clear aim on the leader. She engaged Our Pretty Woman turning into the stretch, grabbed a slim lead, and refused to let her battle back.

Tarifa edged three-quarters of a length clear at the Fair Grounds wire. By negotiating 1 1/16 miles in 1:43.24, the Kentucky-bred improved her scorecard to 5-4-0-0, $518,925.

Our Pretty Woman, who entered this stakes debut with a perfect 2-for-2 mark, was awarded 50 points for her valiant runner-up performance. Another 3 1/4 lengths back in third came V V’s Dream, a Road to the Kentucky Oaks veteran who picked up 25 points for a total of 48 points. Accommodate Eva closed from last for fourth, worth 15 points for a total of 17.

Intricate appeared to be in a good spot, only to flatten out in fifth (10 points for a total of 45). Midsummer March trailed. The field was reduced to six following the withdrawals of Lucy Got Game and Alpine Princess (who opted for the Bourbonette Oaks).

A few minutes earlier in the Bourbonette Oaks at Turfway Park, the 11-1 Everland earned 50 Oaks points with a stout rally up the rail. Trained by Eric Foster for Foster Family Racing, William Wargel, R.K. Eckrich Racing, and Maxis Stable, the gray outkicked Winnable and Alpine Princess to record her first stakes victory.

Everland was coming off a fourth in the local prep, the Cincinnati Trophy, where stablemate Maxisuperfly pulled a front-running upset. Maxisuperfly again strode to the early lead in the Bourbonette Oaks, but found herself pestered by favorite Pink Polkadots. Although Maxisuperfly put away Pink Polkadots, she was soon overtaken in turn.

Winnable was the first to pounce on the weakening leader, while Alpine Princess ranged up to offer her challenge at the top of the lane. Finishing best of all, though, was Everland.

Settled about midpack on the inside by Abel Cedillo, the daughter of Hall of Famer Arrogate was on hold for room, but got a dream opening in the stretch. Everland punched to a 1 1/4-length decision in 1:44.36 for 1 1/16 miles on the Tapeta. She has 54 points in all, including four from the Cincinnati Trophy.

Winnable fought on for second (25 points), a half-length up on the wide-traveling Alpine Princess, whose 15 points in third brought up her tally to 35. Youknownothing got up for fourth (10 points), and Movin’ on Up recovered from a bad start to grab fifth (five points). Band of Gold, Trial, Maxisuperfly, Saratoga Secret, and Pink Polkadots concluded the order of finish.

Everland’s resume reads 7-3-0-1, $237,093. Bred by George Strawbridge Jr. in Kentucky, she is out of a Tapit mare and thus sports the same cross as champion Arcangelo. Everland was claimed out of her Turfway maiden win for $30,000 by her current connections.

 

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