Oaks Updates

TOP KENTUCKY OAKS 133 STORIES:

• AUTOBAHN GIRL ROLLS IN TAMPA’S SUNCOAST
•  DEVIL HOUSE STRETCHES WINNING STREAK TO FIVE
•  STATEN ISLAND, NICE INHERITANCE WIN IN SOUTHWEST

SOUTHEAST/ZITO’S AUTOBAHN GIRL HEADS TAMPA’S SUNCOAST – Live Oak Plantation’s homebred Autobahn Girl strengthened her credentials as a candidate for the 133^rd running of the $500,000-added Kentucky Oaks (Grade I) as she overcame a poor start to score a sharp three-length victory in Saturday’s $75,000 Suncoast Stakes at Tampa Bay Downs.

The Nick Zito-trained daughter of A.P. Indy, the 6-5 favorite in the field of nine 3-year-old fillies, won for the fourth time in five races notched her first stakes victory. Autobahn Girl covered the distance of “about” one mile over a “fast” track in 1:38.39.

Trainee finished second and Santa Barbara was third.

The speedy Autobahn Girl, whose only loss in those last five races was a runner-up finish last fall to Get Ready Bertie over a “sloppy” track at Churchill Downs, broke in the air and was eighth in the early going.  But she rallied wide to win comfortably under jockey Daniel Centeno.

“When she broke slow and I saw three or four horses on the lead, I say that’s better for me,” said Centeno.  “I knew she was a good filly, she was a little bit scared of the dirt in her face, but when I put her in the middle of the track she took off.”

Autobahn Girl improved her career record to 4-3-0 in seven races and has now earned $133,884.  Zito said his filly would start next in the Florida Oaks on March 17 at Tampa Bay.

CENTRAL/DEVIL HOUSE EXTENDS WINNING STREAK TO FIVE IN MARTHA WASHINGTON – William Stiritz’s Devil House enhanced her Kentucky Oaks credentials as she extended her winning streak to five races, scoring a five-length victory in Sunday’s $50,000 Martha Washington Stakes at Oaklawn Park.

The 3-year-old daughter of Chester House has not been defeated since she finished a good third in her debut in a Churchill Downs maiden race in late June.  Her string of victories includes stakes wins in the Pepsi Bassinet at River Downs and the Dixie Belle at Oaklawn Park.

Terry Thompson was aboard the winner, who covered a mile in 1:38.83 in her successful debut at a two-turn distance.  Spartan Queen finished second and Time’s Mistress was third.

WEST/STATEN ISLAND WINS ARIZONA OAKS – Dennis Weir’s homebred Staten Island rolled from just off the pace to win Saturday’s $75,000 Arizona Oaks at Turf Paradise.  The Arizona-bred daughter of In Excess, who was ridden by Sandi Gann and is trained by Kevin Lewis, won by 3 ¾ lengths over Slew o’ Platinum and covered a mile in 1:37.54.

On Sunday, Vinery Stable’s Nice Inheritance rallied under Alfredo Juarez Jr. to nip Berriesfromheaven and the favored Stealth Cat in the $50,000 Island Fashion for 3-year-old fillies at Sunland Park.  The Steve Asmussen-trained winner covered a mile in 1:38.11.

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