BackTrack: Questing Steps Up to Win CCA Oaks

After Questing's win in the TVG Coaching Club American Oaks (G1) on July 21, Saratoga might want to consider adding "Godolphin" to the name of the historic race. Questing's victory was the fourth for Sheikh Mohammed's stable since 2002 and its second in a row. 

"Each one feels very sweet," said Jimmy Bell, Godolphin's racing manager, in the winner's circle. 

Godolphin's previous wins in the race came with Jilbab (2002), Music Note (2008), and It's Tricky (2011).

Questing was bred by Darley in Great Britain; by Hard Spun  out of the Seeking the Gold mare Cher­cheuse, she began her career racing on the grass in England for trainer John Gosden, coming to the States and racing on dirt for the first time in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies (G1) last November. She finished fifth. Transferred to Kiaran McLaughlin, she returned to the turf as a 3-year-old with disappointing results before winning on the dirt at Belmont last month.

"You know how these fillies can be," said Bell. "Some of the good ones keep you guessing."

Racing beyond a mile for the first time since the Breeders' Cup, Questing might have had her backers guessing during her stretch run. Though she won by 4 1/4 lengths, she drifted badly in the stretch, racing on the rail at the eighth pole and finishing in the middle of the track. Final time for the 1 1/8 miles was 1:50.30.

Longshot Yara opened up a five-length lead early, but under Irad Ortiz Jr., Questing challenged her midway up the backstretch, earlier than expected.

"We thought we'd be happy with the lead or close to it," said Bell. "It seemed like she took the jock to the lead; I don't think that was where he was headed. She said 'go,' and he said, 'Let's go!'"

The win was Ortiz' first graded stakes victory.

Though Bell declined to say where Questing would race next, she seems certain to remain on the dirt.

"Her race on dirt last time was a 105 Beyer, and it was just a monster race," he observed. "We felt like if she replicated that, then she'd be pretty salty and show that she's got some quality and class, and she really stepped up to it today."

The race was a literal step-up for the filly, whose previous three starts had been in allowance/optional claiming races. Bell described the victory as a win not only for the home-bred Questing, but for the Godolphin stallions and breeding program. 


"These are such great, quality races, and these are the broodmares that Sheikh Mohammed looks forward to get back to the breeding shed," he said.