Rayya turns the tables on Winter Lightning to win UAE Oaks
Rayya, second to heavy Group 3 UAE Oaks favorite Winter Lighting in two previous starts, turned the tables on her rival to score the biggest prize Thursday at Meydan: the winner’s share of the $250,000 purse and a potential trip to Churchill Downs.
Trained by Doug Watson, and with Pat Dobbs in the irons, the 3-year-old daughter of Tiz Wonderful set an easy pace and went wire-to-wire for a 3 3/4-length victory along the rail, finishing ahead of Expressiy at odds of 7-2 on the U.S. tote.
"She was more relaxed, jumped lovely, and I knew halfway down the back stretch she was going to be tough to beat," Dobbs said. "She just felt a totally different filly today."
Watson said he's hoping for an invitation to the March 31 UAE Derby against the boys. Then it could be on to the Kentucky Oaks with 50 points earned Thursday toward qualifying, enough to get in the gate May 4 at Churchill.
“We have her nominated," he said, "but let’s see how she comes out of this and the Derby.”
Outside the entire way, Winter Lightning, who entered unbeaten on dirt, showed little in the stretch out. The half sister to the 2017 UAE Derby winner Thunder Snow just got up for third in a field of six fillies despite entering off a two-length victory over Rayya in the 1000 Guineas back on Feb. 8.
A $190,000 purchase as a 2-year-old, Rayya is campaigned by Sh Rashid bin Humaid Al Nuaimi.