Apropos Crowned in American Beauty
Claiborne Farm and Adele Dilschneider’s Apropos improved her Oaklawn record to a perfect three-for-three with an easy 3 ¼ length victory in Saturday’s $100,000 American Beauty Stakes. Her popular victory as the 6-5 favorite came just 13 days after she returned from a five-month layoff to win an allowance optional claiming race here Jan. 12.
In the American Beauty, Apropos sat right off of Hurricane Girl through an opening quarter in 23 and then began to inch toward the lead before a half-mile in 46 4/5. By the time the field reached the top of the stretch, the winner was clear and the only battle was for second place. Boss Barney’s Babe rallied from eighth to take second by a neck over Ms Anna Destiny. Hurricane Girl held on for fourth. Apropos completed the six furlong race in 1:11 2/5 over a fast track.
“I felt very confident on her,” said winning rider Ricardo Santana Jr. “Turning for home, I was really confident.”
“She’s a good horse and obviously loves Oaklawn Park,” said winning trainer Al Stall Jr. by phone from New Orleans. “We’re extremely happy with how she ran, especially with the quick turnaround. We’ll get her back home and talk to the owners about what’s next.”
Apropos, a five-year-old First Samurai mare bred by her owners, improved her career record to five wins from nine starts and has now earned $220,433. Among the 10,145 in attendance Saturday was Miss Arkansas, Amy Crain, who presented the trophy in the American Beauty.
The winner returned $4.40, $3.40 and $3.00.
Live racing at Oaklawn continues Sunday with a 1:30 p.m. first post.