GRACE HALL WINS THE DELAWARE OAKS!

Grace Hall reclaimed her position as one of the leading three-year-old fillies of the year with an authoritative victory in the $400,000 Delaware Oaks (gr. II) this afternoon, drawing away powerfully from four rivals to win the 1 1/16th miles race by daylight.

Ridden to victory by Javier Castellano for trainer Anthony Dutrow, Grace Hall got off to a good enough start, but settled into the fourth position early on as Wicked Mizz and Amie's Dini set a moderate pace up front. Aubby K was right behind them in third, while California shipper Via Villagio was the early trailer.

The positions did not change down the backstretch, but rounding the far turn Aubby K and Grace Hall moved up to challenge for the lead, with Grace Hall moving strongest. Via Villagio was attempting a rally on the far outside, but she never had a chance to contend for the win, as Grace Hall left her rivals in the dust at the top of the stretch. With powerful strides, she drew off impressively to win the race by at least four or five lengths, stamping herself as one of the favorites for the $600,000 Alabama Stakes (gr. I) at Saratoga in August should her connections decide to run there.

Via Villagio rallied for second, while Amie's Dini, Aubby K, and Wicked Mizz completed the order of finish.

-Keelerman

Delaware Oaks Entries and Post Positions

Here are the entries and post positions for the $400,000 Delaware Oaks (gr. II), to be run on Saturday at Delaware Park. The 1 1/16th miles race for three-year-old fillies is often used as a prep for the prestigious Alamaba Stakes (gr. I) at Saratoga, and has thus drawn a very strong field of seven, led by grade I stakes winner Grace Hall, the consistent Amie's Dini, and the speedy grade I-placed Aubby K.

1 Wicked Mizz
2 Singlet
3 Amie's Dini
4 Morrow Cove
5 Grace Hall
6 Via Villaggio
7 Aubby K

-Keelerman