Maracuja Victorious in Oaklawn Comeback
Image:
Description:
Photo: Coady Photography
Maracuja rolls home late to win an allowance optional claiming race at Oaklawn Park
Grade 1 winner Maracuja shook off the rust of a six-month layoff with a decisive allowance optional claimer score April 1 at Oaklawn Park.
Owned by Beach Haven Thoroughbreds, Medallion Racing, Parkland Thoroughbreds, and Barry Fowler, the 4-year-old daughter of Honor Code hadn't raced since finishing fourth in last year's Cotillion Stakes (G1) at Parx Racing on Sept. 25.
Maracuja was sent to post as the 4-5 favorite in the field of six older fillies and mares. Unhurried early, Maracuja trailed the field through the first half-mile as Lil Kings Princess set a lively tempo up front of :23.45 and :46.94 down the backside. Picking off horses one-by-one into the bend, jockey Ricardo Santana Jr. asked the filly for a little more and Maracuja accelerated three-wide coming off the far turn, wearing down the pacesetting Lil Kings Princess late.
Maracuja finished two lengths clear of Lil Kings Princess, hitting the wire in a time of 1:44.51 for the 1 1/16 miles on a fast track. Miss Imperial was third.
Trained by Rob Atras, Maracuja increased her overall record to 3-2-1 from nine starts for earnings of $538,200. She claimed the biggest victory of her career when upsetting 2021 champion 3-year-old filly Malathaat in the Coaching Club American Oaks (G1) at Saratoga Race Course.
Her connections have indicated that a start in the April 23 Apple Blossom Handicap (G1) could be the next target for the filly.