Comebacking Wicked Halo Tops Matareya in Matron
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Photo: Coady Photography
Wicked Halo defeats Matareya in the Matron Stakes at Oaklawn Park
Winchell Thoroughbreds' Wicked Halo , making her first start since a narrow third in the Breeders' Cup Filly and Mare Sprint (G1) last fall, was back in the winner's circle after an impressive victory in the March 31 inaugural $250,000 Matron Stakes at Oaklawn Park.
#6 WICKED HALO ($4) makes her 4 year old debut a winning one by taking the $250,000 Matron Stakes at Oaklawn Park. The daughter of Gun Runner was ridden by @tyler_gaff and is trained by Steve Asmussen. Congrats to all the connections! Watch more on #FanDuelTV. pic.twitter.com/cZ1cHhJsVk
— TVG (@TVG) March 31, 2023
The 4-year-old daughter of Gun Runner , with Tyler Gaffalione in the irons, was third early as Pretty Birdie battled with I'm the Boss of Me through early fractions of :21.15 and :44.25 for the first half-mile. The winner dropped back to last around the turn for home, but was all fight through the stretch as she wore down second-choice Matareya , who assumed the lead entering the stretch. Wicked Halo drew off to win by three-quarters of a length in 1:09.31 for the six furlongs over a muddy track.
"Talented group of mares and the exciting part is for her to come back running that fast," winning trainer Steve Asmussen said. "She finished off the year in spectacular fashion. I think she had four stakes wins and then was third in the Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Sprint. She got a little break off that. For her to come back and beat a filly the quality of Matareya in such a competitive fashion is very exciting."
Wicked Halo, a multiple grade 2 winner, improved her record to 7-0-4 from 12 starts and is now a millionaire with $1,032,700 in earnings. She returned $4 and $2.20 as the even-money favorite.