Favored Travel Column proves best in Fair Grounds Oaks

Travel Column pressed a moderate pace and drew off in the stretch to score a comfortable win in the Grade 2, $400,000 Fair Grounds Oaks at Fair Grounds on Saturday. 

Sent off the 2-1 favorite under Florent Geroux, Travel Column broke sharply from the outside post and shadowed pacesetter Souper Sensational through fractions of 24.35, 48.64 and 1:12.65 for six furlongs. Travel Column ranged up to the leader leaving the second turn and proved much the best in the stretch to win in a final time of 1:42.75 for 1 1/16 miles. 

"We knew she was a very nice filly from day one -- everything went great," Geroux said. "She put me in the race and I wanted to stay as quiet as I could. She showed a very nice kick and put them away pretty easy."

Clairiere, who edged Travel Column by a neck in last month's Rachel Alexandra (G2), rallied to be a well-beaten second. She was followed across the wire by Souper Sensational and Obligatory. All four earn qualifying points towards the Kentucky Oaks paid on a 100-40-20-10 scale. 

"She got a good, clean trip," Cox said. "We knew it wouldn’t be that quick up front. I think it was ideal. She responded well."

By Frosted, Travel Column was an $850,000 auction purchase as a yearling by Larry Best's OXO Equine. It is now on to the Kentucky Oaks at Churchill Downs on April 30.

"When you’re trying to win races like the Kentucky Derby and Kentucky Oaks you have to keep moving forward," Cox said. "She’s a talented filly. She was an expensive yearling and it paid off. We can go to the last Friday in April. She puts a lot in her works, so I think six weeks will be a good thing for her."