It took everything she had and a good deal of racing luck, but favorite Pure Clan was able to find a way through horses in the stretch to prevail in the Grade 1 American Oaks on Saturday at Hollywood Park. She held off a late bid by European invader Satan’s Circus to win by 3/4 of a length and return $2.50.
Raw Silk set the early pace, leading the field by a length or two through early fractions of 24.01 and 47.07. Missit was tracking nicely and had first jump on Raw Silk as the field turned for home. This left Pure Clan trapped somewhat looking for racing room in between the fading Raw Silk and the longshot Missit. At the same time Pure Clan was making a bold move in between horses to emerge with a shot, Satan’s Circus was unwinding from the outside and looked to be the horse to beat.
Pure Clan was able to rally under jockey Julien Leparoux and prevailed in a thrilling edition of the Oaks. This fily is a fighter for sure, as her career mark is boosted to 6 wins in 9 lifetime starts, with those three defeats coming at the hands of Eight Belles and Proud Spell. Satan’s Circus finished 2nd and is a horse I’d keep an eye on if she returns to the U.S. Clearly Foxy was somewhat of a surprise running on for show.
Thanks for posting this race. Amazing how she broke through.
Welcome, Sally – thanks for the comment.
This was heart-pumping for me. At the time I needed Pure Clan to stay alive in the pick 6 (had the 7 horse as well, but she had no shot). I thought Proud Spell was doomed – but then she punched through and put in a whirl of a run late stretch. Amazing! Overall it was a very good day of racing action at Hollywood.