Dorth Vader Looks Fierce in Gulfstream Park Oaks

John Ropes' homebred Dorth Vader  is back at it again April 1 at the Hallendale Beach oval where she takes on the Gulfstream Park Oaks (G2) to continue her conquest for points towards the first Friday in May.

Last out, the Florida-bred daughter of Girvin   rocketed home to a 4 3/4 length victory in the Davona Dale Stakes (G2) where she defeated Guns n' Graces  and the favored Red Carpet Ready  in a 46-1 upset to take home 50 points. The Michael Yates trainee currently sits sixth on the Road to the Kentucky Oaks (G1) leaderboard.

"It was very rewarding. I was happier for the team that helps me do it on a day-to-day basis. We have a smaller number of horses and we're chasing Ferraris with Chevrolets a lot of times," Yates said. "It's exciting to get horses that can compete at that level. We don't have that many opportunities at that level. It's very rewarding."

Out of the stakes-placed Yonaguska mare Hardcore Candy, Dorth Vader is 4-0-1 from seven starts including wins in the Juvenile Fillies Sprint Stakes and Sandpiper Stakes last year at Gulfstream Park and Tampa Bay Downs respectively. 

Morning line favorite Miracle  (5-2) arrives at the Oaks after three straight runner-up finishes in stakes and graded stakes company. In her last trip, the daughter of Mendelssohn   was a narrow second to current leaderboard topper Pretty Mischievous  in the Feb. 18 Rachel Alexandra Stakes (G2) at Fair Ground Race Course & Slots.

Her other seconds include the Maid of the Mist Stakes and Joseph A. Gimma Stakes last year at Belmont at the Big A, along with a third in the Seeking the Ante Stakes in her second start at Saratoga Race Course.

Bred in New York by Magnolia Mares and Pony Express Sales, the filly races for the partnership of WinStar Farm and Siena Farm under the tutelage of Hall of Fame trainer Todd Pletcher. She is 15th on the leaderboard with 20 points.

Other entrants include 2022 Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies (G1) contender Atomically  who also returns to Gulfstream after coming third in the Forward Gal Stakes (G3) in her last start behind Red Carpet Ready and Undervalued Asset .

The stakes-winning Girvin filly is campaigned by Pletcher for the partnership of Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners, Michael Bernard, and Harry Colburn. She has six points toward the Kentucky Oaks and comes in at 48th on the leaderboard.

"She's doing well. We're looking forward to getting her around two turns. She's had some success at Gulfstream in the past, so we're hoping she can make another move forward," Pletcher said. "She's a very laid-back filly, very easy to train, very straightforward. She just kind of does her job, does what you ask her to do. She's a pretty honest filly."

Infinite Diamond , who opened her 2023 season with a win in the Cash Run Stakes, was fourth last out in the Davona Dale. She earned 10 points for the finish and is in 34th place.

Completing entries are grade 2 placed Affirmative Lady , allowance winner Flakes , and maiden winners Sacred Wish  and Just Katherine .

Entries: Gulfstream Park Oaks Presented by FanDuel TV (G2)

Gulfstream Park, Saturday, April 01, 2023, Race 12

• Grade II
• 1 1/16m
• Dirt
• $250,000
• 3 yo Fillies
• 5:15 PM (local)

PP	Horse	Jockey	Wgt	Trainer	M/L
1	Flakes (FL)	Edgard J. Zayas	122	Juan Alvarado	15/1
2	Infinite Diamond (KY)	Joel Rosario	122	Patrick L. Biancone	6/1
3	Just Katherine (KY)	Leonel Reyes	122	Jose M. Jimenez	15/1
4	Affirmative Lady (KY)	Luis Saez	122	H. Graham Motion	10/1
5	Miracle (NY)	Irad Ortiz, Jr.	122	Todd A. Pletcher	5/2
6	Atomically (FL)	Jose L. Ortiz	122	Todd A. Pletcher	7/2
7	Sacred Wish (KY)	Javier Castellano	122	George Weaver	9/2
8	Dorth Vader (FL)	Miguel Angel Vasquez	122	Michael Yates	4/1