Quiet Oasis Wins Royal Heroine Mile
Hours after Kentucky Derby winner and Preakness I’ll Have Another
made his final public appearance in Southern California before leaving
for his new career as a stallion in Japan, the 3-year-old colt’s owner –
J. Paul Reddam – and jockey – Mario Gutierrez – won the $150,000 Royal
Heroine Mile by a head with 3-1 second choice Quiet Oasis.
The grassy Grade II was the second graded victory of the
Spring/Summer meet for Quiet Oasis, who is trained by Ben Cecil. The
4-year-old Oasis Dream filly out of the Sunday Silence mare Silent Heir
had taken the Grade III Wilshire at the same distance April 29 before finishing second in the Grade I Gamely at nine furlongs May 28.
Bred in Ireland by Breeding Capital PLC and
Swettenham Stud, Quiet Oasis won for the fourth time in 10 lifetime
starts. Three of her victories have come in seven races in the United
States.
Ridden patiently by Gutierrez while Briecat set the pace with Mega
Dream in close attendance, Quiet Oasis split horses when beginning her
rally early in the stretch, angled outside and was up to win narrowly
over 8-1 outsider Mega Dream and a stubborn Briecat. The final time was
1:35.06.
Increasing her bankroll to $262,379, Quiet Oasis paid $8, $3.80 and $3.20.
Mega Dream, who had won the Great Lady M. Stakes at six furlongs May 27
in her California debut, returned $7.20 and $5.20. The show price on
13-1 shot Briecat, who finished a neck back of the runner-up, was $7.20.
Nereid was fourth, followed by Ninth Infantry, Up In Time, City to
City and All Star Heart, who failed to fire as the 8-5 choice. It was
the first defeat in three starts over the Betfair Hollywood Park turf
for the Canadian bred daughter of Arch.
“The problem with her early on is that she was very headstrong and
rank,’’ said Cecil. “The nice thing is she’s gotten more and more
relaxed. She hasn’t done much wrong since she’s been here. My exercise
rider has done a really good job of getting her to settle.’’
Earlier in the afternoon, Pincay, a member of Racing’s Hall of Fame
since 1975, presented the Award named in his honor to John Harris, a
prominent California owner-breeder and former California Horse Racing
Board chairman. Harris is the ninth winner of the Laffit Pincay, Jr.
Award.
Pincay was among several former riders who attended the 73rd Gold Cup as part of the 10th annual Oldtimers Day at the Races. Joining Pincay, among others, were Eddie Delahoussaye, Gary Stevens, Julie Krone, Don Pierce,