The first stakes race of the Kentucky Oaks day card at Churchill Downs ended in a shocking upset, with 16-1 shot Juanita pulling away from heavily favored Plum Pretty to score a two-length upset in the La Troienne Stakes (gr. II).
Ridden to victory by Ramon Dominguez, Juanita got off to an alert start and settled into the second position early on, just behind pace-setting Plum Pretty. In third along the inside was Afleeting Lady, with Love Theway Youare and Absintheminded right alongside. St. John's River and Maristar were the early trailers.
Through fractions of :24.39, :48.36, and 1:11.74, Juanita and Plum Pretty continued to lead the way, with no one else really moving up to challenge. Around the far turn, both jockeys asked their mounts for run, and although I'm sure the vast majority of those watching the race expected Plum Pretty to kick away, it was Juanita who turned for home with the lead and drew off. St. John's River coming flying late to finish second, but was never a threat to the winner, who stopped the clock for a mile and a sixteenth in 1:42.82.
Plum Pretty finished third, followed by Absinthe Minded, Afleeting Lady, Maristar, and Love Theway Youare. The winner is trained by Mike Maker and owned by William and Graydon Patterson. The victory was the second in a graded stakes race for the former claimer, who also won the Indiana Oaks (gr. II) last fall.
(Note: Be sure to check out our Kentucky Derby Handicapping Contest, in which one lucky handicapper will win a free copy of "The 10 Best Kentucky Derbies," published by Eclipse Press. Read the details here!)
-Keelerman
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