Vertical Oak Seeks Consecutive Wins in Garland of Roses

Multiple graded stakes winner Vertical Oak will headline a competitive field of five in the $100,000 Garland of Roses for fillies and mares going six furlongs Dec. 8 at Aqueduct Racetrack. 

The 4-year-old daughter of Giant Oak, owned by Kirk and Judy Robinson and trained by Steve Asmussen, kicked off her 2018 campaign with a third-place finish in the April 7 Carousel Stakes at Oaklawn Park. 

She finished second in the July 25 Honorable Miss Handicap (G2) at Saratoga Race Course and won the Sept. 15 Open Mind at Churchill, before finishing third in the Oct. 6 Thoroughbred Club of America (G2) at Keeneland. In her most recent effort she was 2 3/4 lengths the best in the Nov. 4 Dream Supreme Stakes at the Louisville oval.

In search of her second consecutive win, Vertical Oak will depart from post 5 with Eric Cancel in the irons. 

Scratching from last Saturday's Go For Wand (G3), Sower will enter for owner Leonard Green and trainer Linda Rice.

The winner of the Oct. 28 Pumpkin Pie Stakes at Belmont Park, the 3-year-old filly sired by Flatter  has four wins from seven starts, with three at the Garland of Roses distance. Her record also includes a pair of third-place finishes in the Victory Ride (G3) and Charles Town Oaks (G3). 

"She's continued to train well coming out of the Pumpkin Pie and we're excited about running her at this distance in which she's had success," Rice said. "She ran well at seven furlongs last out, and we're hoping she can work out another good trip in here."

Set to make her first start at the Big A, Sower will leave from post 3 with Junior Alvarado aboard. 

Dream Pauline is looking to rebound off a third-place finish in the Dream Supreme for Stonestreet Stables and trainer Kiaran McLaughlin. 

The 3-year-old homebred filly by Tapit  made a stellar debut this summer at Saratoga in which she bested a field of six by six lengths followed by a two-length allowance win Aug. 2 at the Spa ahead of the Dream Supreme.

"She's doing very well," said McLaughlin. "She had a rough trip at Churchill, but since then she appears to be rounding back into form. She's a very talented filly so we're excited about her prospects."

Drawing the rail, Dream Pauline will be ridden by David Cohen. 

Trainer Eddie Barker will enter local fan favorite Yorkiepoo Princess for owner Danny Chen. 

Initially purchased for $8,000 as a 2-year-old, the now 4-year-old Kantharos  filly has amassed $435,627 in earnings from 19 starts with two wins from three starts at the Big A. Most recently, she captured an off-the-turf edition of the Autumn Days Nov. 25 by 5 3/4 lengths. 

"She came out of the Autumn Days super," Barker said. "That was our main reason for running back here. She's continued to flourish coming out of that race and we know she likes it here at Aqueduct so we're thrilled to run and like our chances."

Yorkiepoo Princess will leave from post 2 with Dylan Davis aboard.