Vertical Oak Adds Dream Supreme to List of Stakes Wins
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Photo: Coady Photography
Vertical Oak wins the Dream Supreme at Churchill Downs
Kirk and Judy Robison's Vertical Oak repelled the bid of Awestruck to win the $100,000 Dream Supreme Stakes by 2 3/4 lengths Nov. 4 at Churchill Downs.
Ridden by Ricardo Santana Jr., Vertical Oak pressed the early pace set by Student Body through an opening quarter-mile in :22.28. At the three-eighths pole, Santana took command of the race when Vertical Oak rallied three wide and held off the late-running Awestruck to complete the six furlongs in 1:09.53.
"She was so impressive today," Santana said. "We needed that one. She fought hard when she saw the horses on the inside of her. She's a really nice filly and I'm happy she got back to the winner's circle today."
Trained by Steve Asmussen, Vertical Oak returned $4.60, $2.60 and $2.10. Awestruck, ridden by Brian Hernandez Jr., paid $4.40 and $2.80, while third-place finisher Dream Pauline returned $3.
"That was a really nice race," said Asmussen, who also saddled Savorthetime (2004) and Speedinthruthecity (2014) to Dream Supreme victories. "She's a very fast filly and that was a great effort."
Multiple graded stakes winner Vertical Oak now has eight wins from 20 starts, including three victories beneath the Twin Spires. The 4-year-old filly by Giant Oak has amassed $716,565 in purse earnings.