Sweet Fourty edges Well Hidden in WinStar/Sunland Park Oaks
Sweet Fourty diligently outdueled Well Hidden to spoil her formerly unbeaten record with a half-length score in the $250,000 WinStar/Sunland Park Oaks on Saturday at Sunland Park.
Legally Wild led through the first half-mile, as Princess Patricia and 7-to-10 favorite Sweet Fourty, making her seasonal debut, rated in second and third, respectively.
Advancing three wide between rivals from fifth, Well Hidden made a late run as Sweet Fourty gained command in the final sixteenth of a mile and held off the powerful close of Well Hidden to gain her first stakes victory. Princess Patricia finished 3½ lengths back in third in the six-horse field. Sweet Fourty, owned by Michael House, covered the 1 1/16 miles over a fast track in 1:43.73.
Trained by Jeff Mullins, the daughter of Sweetsouthernsaint finished second in the Sharp Cat Stakes at Hollywood Park on November 27 to cap a juvenile season in which she won two of six starts.
The $150,000 winner's share of the WinStar/Sunland Park Oaks purse elevated Sweet Fourty's earnings to $209,000.
Bred in Florida by Ocala Stud Farms and Three G Stables, Sweet Fourty is out of Majestic Fourty, by Majestic Venture.
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