Grace Hall, who finished a dismal fifth last time out in the Abalama Stakes (gr. I), rebounded to her winning ways this afternoon when she coasted to an easy victory in the $200,000 Indiana Oaks (gr. III) at Hoosier Park.
With Brian Hernandez Jr. aboard, Grace Hall showed speed from the start and soon found herself in the second position, just a head behind Eden's Moon as that one led the way through fractions of :23.67 and :47.31. Wine Princess, Uptown Bertie, and Holiday Soiree trailed the very compact field, with Holiday Soiree racing only about 1 1/2 lengths behind Eden's Moon.
Following three-quarters of a mile in 1:11.62, Grace Hall moved ahead of Eden's Moon and blew the race wide open with a strong run. Four lengths in front passing the eighth pole, the filly coasted home under a hand ride to win by 5 3/4 lengths while stopping the clock for 1 1/16th miles in the very sharp time of 1:41.85 seconds over a track labeled good.
Wine Princess rallied mildly to secure second over Eden's Moon, while Holiday Soiree and Uptown Bertie trailed the field.
The winner is trained by Anthony Dutrow and owned by Michael Dubb, Bethlehem Stables, and Stuart Grant. A daughter of Empire Maker out of the Ezzoud mare Season's Greetings, Grace Hall has now won six of her ten starts and earned $1,281,360.
-Keelerman
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