Colonial Downs: Bopolene Takes Oakley
Donna Lockard-owned and trained Bopolene continued to heat up the Thoroughbred summer meet as she rallied strongly through the stretch to take the 13th running of the $50,000 Oakley Stakes for Virginia-breds on Saturday at Colonial Downs.
Guided by Julien Pimentel, Bopolene raced in the two-path around the turn before squeezing through a small hole and closing strongly in the stretch. Shaunna finished 2 ½ lengths behind after racing willingly through the stretch, while Argent Affair weakened to take the show spot a ½ length further back.
Bred in Virginia by Alfred H. Smith Jr., Bopolene is a five year old mare by Bop, who also sired two other starters in the field, and is out of a Cozzene mare. Having run in the money nine out of seventeen starts, her lifetime earnings have surpassed $100,000.
Rounding out the Oakley field were Huge, who rallied belatedly, Angel I B, How Bout Tonight, Beware of the Bop, Bippity Bop, and Salaam Alaykum.
Live racing continues at Colonial Downs on Sunday, June 6th with a post time of 12:55 PM.