Calamity Kate Stuns Lovely Maria in Delaware Oaks

George and Lori Hall’s Calamity Kate notched an upset victory in the $300,000 Grade III Delaware Oaks at Delaware Park today. 

With Edgar Prado aboard, the daughter of Yes It’s True won by 1 ¾-lengths and returned $110.80.  The 1-to-5 favorite in the field of eight, Lovely Maria, with Kerwin Clark, finished fifth.  Peace and War, with John Velazquez, finished second 3-lengths in front of Hip Hop N Jazz, with Brian Pedroza, in third.  The final time was 1:41.79 over a fast track which is the fastest time for the Delaware Oaks since the distance was changed to mile and a sixteenth in 1997.

In her previous effort, Calamity Kate was unplaced in the Grade I Acorn at Belmont Park on June 6.  The Kentucky-bred conditioned by Kelly John Breen raised her career record to three wins from eight starts with earnings of $345,868.

“They went out there and won,” said Lovely Maria’s trainer J. Larry Jones.  “I even had a horse out there pushing them.  We thought we were in the right spot and we were not going to let anybody go out and steal it.  The winner can run and when Kelly Breen comes in with a horse, he is tough.  He always scares me and he is tough.  But it is okay. We just got beat.”

“The horse has been training good and in her last start she got a bad break,” said winning trainer Kelly John Breen.  “So the last race was probably a throw out and she has been training great for this race.  We had a couple of horses nominated and I guess we picked the right one to come here with.  I told Edgar (Prado) just to ride his race.  That she is sharp. It was just a matter of being in right spot at that right time.”

Ceisteach takes Robert G. Dick Memorial

Glen Hill Farm and Hill “n” Dale Holding’s Ceisteach won the $200,000 Robert G. Dick Memorial at Delaware Park today.  With Channing Hill aboard, the 4-year-old daughter of New Approach won by a head over Queen’s Parade, with John Velazquez, in second.  It was another ¾-lengths further back to the even money favorite Kitten’s Point, with Edgar Prado, in third.  Ceisteach paid $13.00 as the third choice in the field nine.  The Ireland-bred conditioned by Thomas Proctor covered the mile and three-eighths in 2:16.97 over firm turf course.  She raised her career record four wins from nine starts with earnings of $210,000.

“She took a nice couple of deep breaths for more around the 3/8th’s pole and she really fired turning for home,” said winning rider Channing Hill.  “She is just real game.  I still had plenty of horse left but for a second I thought Shug’s horse (Queens Parade) was going to go by me.  But she dug in and was really game.”

Source: Delaware Park