NEWS
Harmonious passes class test in American Oaks
Posted: Saturday, July 03, 2010 9:26 PM
HARMONIOUS
Benoit & Associates photo
For video of the American Oaks Invitational Stakes, click here.
by Mike Curry
Harmonious stepped up in class from a first-level allowance race to the American Oaks Invitational Stakes (G1) on Saturday at Hollywood Park, and the Dynaformer filly was up to the challenge.
Harmonious responded on cue when roused by jockey Martin Garcia, surged past City to City within a few powerful strides, and reeled in game runner-up Antares World. She won by 1 1/4 lengths for her third win in as many starts on grass for trainer John Shirreffs and owners-breeders Marty and Pam Wygod.
After finishing fifth in her career debut on the main track at Hollywood in April, Harmonious won a one-mile maiden special weight race on grass by a length on May 16. She followed with a half-length score in a 1 1/8-mile allowance race on June 12, which gave Shirreffs the confidence to take a shot in the American Oaks.
“She was doing really well and her last race, she settled really nicely, so we thought the added distance would be to her benefit,” Shirreffs said after Harmonious covered 1 1/4 miles in 2:01.77 on firm turf to win the American Oaks.
Garcia reserved Harmonious in fourth early, more than ten lengths behind Riviera Chic, who set a solid pace through a half-mile in :47.26. Antares World stalked the pacesetter from second, less than two lengths back under Frank Alvarado.
Providencia Stakes (G2) winner City to City made her move approaching the stretch, sweeping past Harmonious before challenging multiple stakes winner Antares World, who seized command at the quarter pole. Harmonious followed City to City and rolled past with a powerful rush when that the favorite flattened out.
With only Antares World between her and a Grade 1 win, Harmonious found the perfect rhythm in the stretch and steadily surged past for the clear win.
"John [Shirreffs] told me to let her break and then make her really comfortable. I thought that if she relaxed she could win. So what I did was just break her and let her relax,” Garcia said. “At the three-eighths [pole], a horse outside passed me, but I didn't want to move with her so what I did was take a hold and just follow her.
“Turning for home, when she got in front she started looking around for company. She really is a nice filly. She was waiting for more. She wanted to keep going and going and going.”
Maiden winner Weekend Magic edged Grade 2-placed Andina (Ire) by a nose for third. City to City faded to fifth in the field of seven three-year-old fillies.
Shirreffs said he did not have a next race in mind for Harmonious, who is out of the unraced Storm Cat mare Jade Tree from the family of champion Landaluce.
"We had a lot of high hopes for her. She showed us a lot,” Shirreffs said. “That was exactly what we wanted, not to move early... especially at a mile and one quarter with a three-year-old filly that hasn't done it."
For an Equibase chart, click here.
Mike Curry is a Thoroughbred Times TODAY editor
