Oeuvre tops $1 million mark after stakes win at Hawthorne
Oeuvre became the newest Illinois-bred millionaire as she battled to a game victory in the $50,000 Third Chance on Sunday at Hawthorne. The stakes event for fillies and mares had a field of six after the scratch of Managing Mischief and was contested at six furlongs over a fast track.
Leaving quickly for the lead was second choice Gray Lightning, as Orlando Mojica hustled him clear while the 4-5 favored Oeuvre got off a step slow and was last early. Following a snappy quarter in 22.30 seconds, Gray Lightning held a two length lead over Beehive into the turn, with Oeuvre moving up along the inside under Jareth Loveberry into fourth.
After a half in 45.76 seconds, Gray Lightning maintained her lead while Oeuvre picked up the chase. With the wire approaching and Gray Lightning battling on, Oeuvre was game, getting up in the final stride to win by a head in 1:10.62. Gray Lightning held second and was followed by Beehive.
Oeuvre returned $3.80, $2.40 and $2.10. Gray Lightning paid $3.40 and $2.60 while Beehive returned $3.40 to show.
Oeuvre is a 6-year-old chestnut mare by Shackleford out of the Kitten's Joy mare Love This Kitten. The win Sunday extended her lifetime record to 37: 19-5-4, and the $30,000 winner’s share pushed her lifetime earnings to $1,029,886. The win was her 11th in 15 Hawthorne starts. She is also a multiple stakes winner at Fair Grounds, and Grade 3 placed at Churchill Downs.
After the race, trainer Chris Block talked about his newest millionaire. “She’s unique in so many ways. She makes my job easy. She’s all heart and determination. She’s maybe lost a step, but she loves this racetrack. It was great to get her back with Jareth today and get her over the million-dollar mark. Bringing her in off the layoff is really no trouble because she puts a lot into her training.”
Jockey Jareth Loveberry had to overcome to slow start as he guided Oeuvre to the win. “She’s always been a special horse. Sometimes she catches herself in the gate. I’ve known her for a long time now and I just let her be her. She knows how to win and just gutted it out today. Getting her over the million-dollar mark with the win, that’s special.”