Not America’s Day As Shanon Nicole Flies to Remington Oaks Win

Winless in seven starts since breaking her maiden last October at Belmont Park, celebrity chef Bobby Flay’s America has hooked horns with a veritable “who’s who” of the female sophomore class, including Untapable, Stopchargingmaria and Room Service. The A.P. Indy filly hoped to change her luck with a change of scenery. 

America shipped to Oklahoma City from her New York base and the barn of Hall of Fame trainer Bill Mott to take on a new group of fillies at Remington Park on Sunday. Unfortunately for America, her next visit to the winners’ circle has to wait once again, as Shanon Nicole proved to be untouchable in the $200,000 Remington Park Oaks. 

Shanon Nicole stalked the early pace set by Swing It Dish, who went :24.13 seconds for a quarter-mile, :47.72 seconds for a half-mile and 1:12.41 for three quarters of a mile. America, ridden by Junior Alvarado, held an outside position closer to the pace. Shanon Nicole, under Rosie Napravnik, inched forward in the final turn, then flew into the stretch with the lead on her way to a 5-1/4 length triumph. 

“I had a really nice inside trip,” Napravnik noted. “My filly is so cool to ride. She gets where she wants and she loves to come up the inside. She put in a great run today.” 

America faded to fourth, five lengths behind the leader at the top of the stretch and 12 ½ lengths behind Shanon Nicole at the wire. “I thought I got a good trip for her,” Alvarado said. “At the three-eighths pole, I was trying to pick it up but she was struggling. I was riding and riding and she just stayed steady. I don't think she really handled the track all that well.” 

While America came up empty, the Mike Maker-trained Shanon Nicole thrived while covering the 1-1/16 miles of the Oaks in 1:44.33. Thegirlinthatsong finished second with Haveyougoneaway third. 

As the 5-2 second choice in the wagering, Shanon Nicole returned $7.40 to win, $3.20 to place and $2.60 to show. Thegirlinthatsong returned $4.60 to place and $2.80 to show. Haveyougoneaway paid $3.40 to show. 

Named for the owner’s daughter, Shanon Nicole is the first homebred for Connie Apostelos of Kettering, Ohio, who has owned racehorses via sales or claiming races since 2009. A 3-year-old filly by Majestic Warrior from the Patton mare Crafty Wac picked up $120,000 for the Oaks win, her fourth from 13 career starts. She has now earned $297,308 overall.