Ariege holds off Golden Doc A to win Santa Anita Oaks

IEAH Stables and Pegasus Holding Group's ARIEGE (Doneraile Court) rallied five-wide into the lane and held off 3-2 favorite Golden Doc A (Unusual Heat) in the final furlong to annex the $300,000 Santa Anita Oaks (G1) on the Cushion Track on Saturday. Settled well off the early tempo by Corey Nakatani, the Bobby Frankel trainee advanced into the second turn and put in a solid run late, reaching the wire in 1:42 3/5 for the 1 1/16 miles contest. The 9-2 third choice rewarded backers with mutuels of $11.40, $4.60 and $3.20 while spearheading the $1 gimmicks: $14.50 exacta, $66.60 trifecta and $578.70 superfecta (8-7-4-3).

Golden Doc A was last for the opening six panels but closed with excellent energy to gain the place while 3 1/4 lengths clear of her nearest pursuer. The Grade 1 winner paid $2.80 and $2.20. Final Fling (Bertrando) took the lead on the inside in early stretch and stayed on well to gain the Grade 1-placing at 5-1, paying $3.40 in the process. Divine Legacy (Full Mandate) capped the super at super at 26-1 and was followed by Seattle Smooth (Quiet American), Briecat (Adcat), Lovely Isle (Double Honor), Kazamira (Dynaformer) and Sunday Holiday (Sunday Break [Jpn]).

Ariege, who was a game runner-up in the La Habra S. (G3) most recently, improved her mark to 6-2-1-1 with $232,531 in earnings. The three-year-old lass also owns a placing in the Blue Norther S., which came in her U.S. debut. She was bred in Kentucky by Calumet Farm and produced from the multiple Grade 1-winning millionaire Kostroma (Ire) (Caerleon), who boasts wins in the Beverly D. S. (G1), Yellow Ribbon S. (G1), Santa Barbara H. (G1), Las Palmas H. (G2), Wilshire H. (G2), Dahlia H. (G2) and Desmond S. (Ire-G3), as well as a quartet of listed tallies. Kostroma, who is a half-sister to Group 1 victress Grise Mine (Fr) (Crystal Palace), is also responsible for the stakes-winning Ballet Pacifica (Minardi) and an unraced two-year-old filly named Biswa (Kafwain). This is the same female line as dual Grade 1 heroine Nashoba's Key (Silver Hawk), 2003 Cheveley Park S. (Eng-G1) vixen Carry on Katie (Fasliyev) and champion Solinus (Comedy Star).

The winner was a $75,000 yearling purchase at the 2006 Keeneland September sale.

Santa Anita Oaks (GI) Replay