Break Even steps forward with gate-to-wire Oaklawn victory

Break Even wasn’t nominated to the April 25 Carousel Stakes, a $125,000 event for older female sprinters at Oaklawn Park. Given the way she ran Saturday, however, the 4-year-old filly figures to land back in an added-money race next.

Break Even broke on top in allowance optional claiming company and coasted to win Oaklawn's ninth race under jockey Joel Rosario, returning to the sort of form that saw the daughter of Country Day open her promising career 6-for-6.

Campaigned by Klein Racing, the Brad Cox trainee opened up a length lead into the turn after clicking off a quarter mile in 21.73 seconds, maintained that margin through a half mile in 44.79 and continued her momentum into the stretch, finishing 3/4 of a mile in 1:09.28.

Rosario hardly moved in what was Break Even’s second start of the season. Previously, she was a non-threatening sixth in the Feb. 29 Spring Fever Stakes, which ended a nearly six-month layoff dating back to a runner-up in Saratoga’s Prioress Stakes (G2).

Prior to that, Break Even hadn’t lost, with victories on dirt and turf when running flawlessly through Oaklawn’s Purple Martin, Churchill Downs’ Eight Belles (G2), Belmont Park’s Jersey Girl and Saratoga’s Coronation Cup Stakes.

A homebred for Richard and Bert Klein, Break Even improved to 6-1-0 in eight starts, scoring as an 8-5 favorite over a field of 10. Mt. Brave ran second by three lengths with Headland third.