Euphrosyne Elevated to Honeybee Victory
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Euphrosyne was awarded the win in the $150,000 Honeybee Stakes (gr. III) March I after first-place finisher Sugar Shock was disqualified for interference in the Oaklawn Park stretch .
Sugar Shock tracked pacesetter Taris from second and Euphrosyne was third in the early stages of the 1 1/16-mile race for 3-year-old fillies. Sugar Shock moved to take charge entering in the lane but something caught her eye midstretch. Under Channing Hill, she drifted into the path of Euphrosyne, impeding the Harlan's Holiday filly who was rallying to her outside, and causing rider Ricardo Santana Jr. to momentarily take up.
Sugar Shock righted herself and crossed the finish line a neck to the good of Euphrosyne, finishing the trip in 1:45.68 on a fast track
After a stewards' inquiry, however, Sugar Shock was disqualified and placed second while elevating Euphrosyne to first.
Please Explain kicked from fifth at the top of stretch and finished three-quarters of a length back in third in the 11-horse field. Rider Drayden Van Dyke also lodged a claim of foul against Sugar Shock for interference in deep stretch, but the claim was disallowed.
In her previous start for trainer Steve Asmussen, Euphrosyne finished second her stakes debut in the Feb. 1 Martha Washington at Oaklawn. Winless in three starts as a 2-year-old, she broke her maiden in her start prior to that stakes by 6 3/4 lengths Jan. 11 in her 2014 bow at Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots.
Euphrosyne is campaigned by Gillian S. Campbell, Ralph Stayer, Shelly Stayer, Dan Clark, and Greg Skoda. She was bred in Kentucky by WinStar Farm out of stakes winner Three Graces, by Doneraile Court. Three Graces is a half sister to grade II winner Private Horde.
For her win, Euphrosyne earned 50 points toward a possible start in the Longines Kentucky Oaks (gr. I) May 2 at Churchill Downs. The Honeybee is a prep for the Oaklawn's April 5 Fantasy Stakes (gr. III).
Euphrosyne returned $19.20, $7, and $3.80 while keying a $123.60 exacta with Sugar Shock, who brought $7.40 and $4.60. Please Explain paid $3.40.
Kiss Moon finished fourth, followed by Courageous Julie, Taris, Springsteen Road, Ireland, Dream Spinner, Silk Purse, and Midnight Eclipse to complete the order of finish.