Power Squeeze Outlasts Sidamara in Del Oaks Thriller

In a thrilling stretch duel, Power Squeeze  used every ounce of her class to squeeze out a nose victory over Sidamara  in the $300,000 Delaware Oaks (G3) at Delaware Park July 8.

The grade 1-placed Union Rags   filly displayed her versatility early as she broke in front but was quickly hounded by her competitors. Javier Castellano relaxed her off the pace as she settled fifth of six entering the clubhouse turn.

The pace was slow as Ringy Dingy  set fractions of :24.45, :50.34, and 1:13.32. Sensing the tempo and with favored Sidamara directly ahead of him, Castellano made an early move to get into position.

Second at the five-sixteenths pole, Power Squeeze looked as though she might flatten out as Ringy Dingy held her advantage and Sidamara made up her lost ground on the far outside.

Emboldened by Sidamara's challenge, Power Squeeze found another gear, reeled in Ringy Dingy and embraced the fight to the wire. Sidamara, ridden by Jose Ortiz, drew even inside the final sixteenth but could never get her nose in front. Power Squeeze won the photo while stopping the clock for 1 1/16 miles in 1:47.65. She paid $4.60.

Regaled  closed from last to be third.

Bred by Forging Oaks Farm, Power Squeeze was a $90,000 purchase from the 2023 Ocala Breeders' Spring Sale of 2-Year-Olds in Training by owner Lea Farms, for which she's now earned $567,450. Trained by Jorge Delgado, Power Squeeze won for the fifth time in nine starts while earning her second graded triumph.