Birdatthewire Catches Eskenformoney in Gulfstream Park Oaks
After an eventful trip in the early stages, Forum Racing’s Birdatthewire came flying late to catch Eskenformoney and win the 45th running of the $250,000 Gulfstream Park Oaks (G2) on Saturday at Gulfstream Park.
It was the second graded stakes win of the Championship Meet in three tries for the 3-year-old daughter of multiple Grade 1 winner Summer Bird. Trained by Dale Romans, she captured the Forward Gal (G2) Jan. 24 and was beaten a neck in the Davona Dale (G2) Feb. 21.
Favored at 8-5 in a field of eight sophomore fillies, Birdatthewire ($5.40) ran 1 1/16 miles in 1:47.50 on fast main track. Eskenformoney was second, three-quarters of a length ahead of 14-1 long shot Danessa Deluxe third. Devine Aida, Sweet Swingin, Cristina’s Journey, Ekati’s Phaeton and Holywell completed the order of finish.
“That was so impressive,” Romans said. “She was stopped all the way on the backside, and just to overcome adversity like that takes a special horse. I don’t care where you are or what kind of horse you have. She did it. She overcame everything and came running.”
Speedy graded stakes winner Ekati’s Phaeton, who caught Birdatthewire late to win the Davona Dale, sprang from the gate and went straight to the front. She led through a quarter-mile in 23.83 seconds and a half in 48.25 with Cristina’s Journey, one of three Romans-trained fillies in the field, tracking in second.
Irad Ortiz Jr, aboard Birdatthewire, found himself between horses after breaking from outside post 8 and nearly stood in the irons trying to rate his filly, making her first start beyond a mile since last fall.
“She got very strong from the first turn to the backside,” Ortiz said. “She’s been running sprints, seven-eighths, a mile, but still she was sharp. She was so strong on the backside, I was trying to get her to relax because she comes from behind. That’s her race. I tried to do my best to wait. She was pulling, but when I asked her to run she took off.”
Eskenformoney, third by a half-length in the Davona Dale, had moved to the lead after six furlongs and remained in front as Birdatthewire circled the field on the outside. Under Ortiz’s steady encouragement, they closed the gap with a flourish to win by 1 ¼ lengths.