Holy Helena powers to victory in the Woodbine Oaks

Holy Helena had little experience going in, but the good looking daughter of Ghostzapper has plenty more now after surging down the stretch to a one-length victory in the $500,000 Woodbine Oaks.

A Canadian-bred special for Adena Springs and the Stronach Stable, Holy Helena only made her debut to racing less than two months ago, where she broke a step slow and rallied for second in a maiden at Aqueduct. The dark bay sophomore filly took no extra time in breaking her maiden, when she came back on May 12 to forge to a victory in an 8 1/2-furlong maiden race at Belmont Park for trainer Jimmy Jerkens.

Today, the promising half-sister to Holy Boss was ridden by Luis Contreras while making her third career start, her first on a synthetic racing surface, and at two-turns. Sent off at a healthy 6-1 in the field of 12, Holy Helena was forwardly placed but relaxed early and was able to find a good position in fifth, as another American shipper, Stallion Heiress went right to the lead from her inside post position.

That one never could open up a comfortable advantage, as she was hounded by challengers through early splits of :23.60 and :47.03 in the nine furlong affair. Not able to handle all the pressure, Stallion Heiress was cooked by the far turn, as Enstone and Mythical Mission moved right on by. By this time, Holy Helena was also in gear, and the homebred looked a menacing third as the large field came spinning out of the Woodbine turn.

Mythical Mission put away Enstone to take the lead, but was quickly tackled by the challenge of Holy Helena on the outside. This edition of the Woodbine Oaks was left to a pair of 6-1 shots. Always looking strong Holy Helena collared her competition, and edged on by in the final sixteenth. It was a long way back to the betting favorite Inflexibility, who edged by Enstone for third-place money. 

“I got a nice trip,” said the happy winning rider. “The filly helped me a lot the whole way. I was nice, and comfortable, sitting outside and then she gave me everything," added Contreras.

Final time for the nine furlongs over the Tapeta racing surface was a very solid 1:50.18. As way of comparison, the Plate Trial, run two races earlier than the Oaks, and won by longshot winner, Guy Caballero, was finished up more than a second slower, in 1:51.32. 

As the fourth betting choice, Holy Helena returned $14.00, $7.10, and $4.90 across the board. The 5-10 exacta was good for $102.40, while the trifecta, completed by Flexibility, paid $525.60 for a $2 play.

With the victory, Holy Helena raises her career record to 3-2-1-0, with $279,750 in the bank. Just two months ago, she was getting ready for her first career start, now she is a major winner in Canada, and already proven on two surfaces. Remember the name, because all indications point to a very promising future for Holy Helena.