American Oaks caps banner year for Michael McCarthy

Michael McCarthy capped a signature year Sunday, running 1-2 in the Grade 1 American Oaks at Santa Anita with two fillies that had never raced on dirt in their combined careers of 12 races, Queen Goddess and Nicest.

The Oaks, scheduled for 1 1/4 miles on turf, was moved to the main track at the same distance because heavy rains. Queen Goddess, off at 14-1 under Juan Hernandez, won by 2 3/4 lengths over her stablemate, a 7-1 shot ridden by John Velazquez.

“It’s a prestigious race and carries a lot of status,” McCarthy said in explaining why he opted to run both fillies, each with main track breeding, Queen Goddess by 2003 Belmont Stakes winner Empire Maker and the English-bred Single Soul by Dubawi.

“It was disappointing the race was taken off the turf, but by and large I left it up to the owners,” McCarthy explained.

“I spoke with each, told them the pros and cons, they were sportsmanlike and chose to run.”

With surprising victories this year by Rombauer in the Preakness Stakes and Ce Ce in the Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Sprint, 2021 was a banner year for the Youngstown, Ohio, native, who turns 51 Feb. 1 and hopes to continue his success in 2022.

“I’m definitely looking forward to it,” McCarthy said.

Rombauer and Ce Ce each breezed four furlongs Monday morning; the former clocked in 46.60 and the latter in 48.20.