Society Streaks to Stakes Record in Charles Town Oaks
Image:
Description:
Photo: Coady Photography
Society wins the Charles Town Oaks at Hollywood Casino at Charles Town Races
No Nest and a cutback to seven furlongs resulted in a resounding victory for Peter Blum Thoroughbreds' Society in the Aug. 26 $500,000 Charles Town Oaks (G3). The daughter of Gun Runner blitzed to the front under Tyler Gaffalione and never looked back as she crossed the wire in a stakes record 1:23.42.
Trained by Steve Asmussen, Society was bet down to 7-5 favorite at Hollywood Casino at Charles Town Races off her record this year, which was flawless except for a fourth-place finish in the July 23 Coaching Club American Oaks (G1). Pressed by Louisiana-bred star Free Like a Girl through a :23.28 first quarter and :46.54 half-mile, Society found a second wind turning for home, opening up four lengths at the top of the lane en route to a final margin of 6 3/4 lengths.
Free Like a Girl settled for second, 1 1/4 lengths ahead of Midnight Stroll in third.
"(Society is) naturally very fast and I just didn't want to get in her way," Gaffalione told TVG following the race. "The first time I rode her going two turns (Coaching Club American Oaks) I got into a bit of a fight with her and she didn't finish up with me that well that day. So I learned from my mistakes. She's a very talented filly."
Society ($4.80), the second foal out of the Tapit mare Etiquette, has amassed $545,775 in earnings from five trips to the post.