Road to Victory makes the grade in 2017 Golden Rod Stakes

To anyone searching for 2018 Kentucky Oaks contenders, remember the name Road to Victory. This filly looks like the real deal.

After pressing heavy favorite Monomoy Girl on the early lead, the Mark Casse-trained daughter of Quality Road re-rallied in the stretch Saturday to win Churchill Downs’ Grade 2, $200,000 Golden Rod Stakes.

It was her second start overall and first on the dirt after an Oct. 1 maiden score over Woodbine’s turf. The final time was 1:43.36 for 1 1/16 miles.

"Dad sent her down here to me to figure out if she was a quality dirt horse," said Norman Casse, assistant to Mark, "and she's never really had a bad day since she got here. She just prepared so well that we had a lot of confidence going into today."

With the win, Road to Victory picked up 10 points toward qualifying for the Oaks. Norman Casse indicated the filly will winter in Florida and run her next preps there, adding that, "We know she loves it here (at Churchill Downs). We know she can run all day long. I think we have a lot to look forward to."

Unbeaten in three starts entering, Monomoy Girl went to the early lead and cruised through an opening quarter mile in 23.81. After a half in 46.87, both horses had cleared the rest of the field by six lengths.

In the stretch, Road to Victory first poked a head in front and appeared turned back before edging Monomoy Girl at the wire.

"My filly tried hard," said jockey Julien Leparoux, "and she came back."

While they tired late, perhaps these two will meet again.

At 7-1, Road to Victory paid $16.40. Cash Out finished third with Dessert Honeys fourth in the field of 12.

By Jonathan Lintner