Sharla Rae makes the grade in Del Mar Oaks
Battle-tested but overlooked, Sharla Rae utilized a stalking trip to get first run on the pace setters in the stretch to steal the Grade 1 Del Mar Oaks right out from under favored Prize Exhibit and Sunset Glow.
With James Graham in the pilot’s seat, Sharla Rae broke outwardly from post 4 but recovered quickly enough to move up and nab a nice spot along the rail in third. To her inside, Paulina’s Love went out to set the pace with Her Emmynency right to that filly’s outside in second. Second betting choice Sunset Glow took up position in 5th with favorite Prize Exhibit back in second last.
Loose on an uncontested lead, Paulina’s Love set fairly quick splits of :23.08, :46.63 and 1:10.50. In trying to take the field all the way gate to wire, the Richard Baltas trainee extended her advantage from a length at the ¼-mile call to 2 ½-lengths at the ½-mile call to 3 ½-lengths at the ¾-mile call. At the top of the lane, Paulina’s Love still had the lead but began to weaken, leaving Her Emmnency to take over the lead.
Her Emmynency did not keep the lead for long, however, as Sharla Rae was moving with her. Sharla Rae seized the lead and had more than enough to hold off the late charge of Prize Exhibit. Sixth mid-way through the stretch, Prize Exhibit was moving well late but had started her move too late in the game and had to settle for third, 1 ½-lengths behind Her Emmynency. Sunset Glow was out-finished by Prize Exhibit and finished 4th by a neck. Majestic Heat, Rattataptap, Paulina’s Love and Zipessa completed the order of finish.
Sent off at 6-1, Sharla Rae paid $14.40/$5.80/$3.40. Fourteen-to-one Her Emmynency returned $9.20/$5.00. Favorite Prize Exhibit paid $2.40 for the show. The $1 exacta paid $95.70, the $1 trifecta returned $318.00 and the $1 superfecta was worth $1,041.80.
By Afleet Alex and out of the Gold Fever mare Jinny’s Gold, Sharla Rae was a $22,000 yearling purchase. She then did not meet here reserve as a two-year old. Now owned in partnership by Brous Stable, Gary Barber and Wachtel Stable and trained by Doug O'Neill, the bay filly improved her overall record to 13: 5-1-1 for total purse earnings of $436,545. Though a previous stakes winner, the Del Mar Oaks was Sharla Rae’s first graded stakes victory.