SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. - As much as trainer Steve Asmussen didn’t want to see it rain Saturday when Gun Runner ran in the Grade 1 Woodward, he was extremely pleased that Sunday’s daylong rains made for an extremely sloppy Saratoga main track for Vertical Oak in the Grade 2 Prioress Stakes. A 7 3/4-length winner of the Goldfinch Stakes in the slop at Prairie Meadows in April, Vertical Oak confirmed her affinity for a wet track Sunday, rolling to a 5 1/4-length victory in the $250,000 Prioress for 3-year-old fillies. “When she won at Prairie Meadows … it was visually impressive, but you weren’t sure who she beat,” Asmussen said. “I think without a doubt she relishes the slop; this confirms that.” Vertical Oak broke sharply under John Velazquez, who had her in second position stalking Student Body through a quarter in 22.21 seconds. She moved on equal terms with Student Body after a half-mile in 45.24. Straightening away down the lane, Velazquez shook up Vertical Oak and they kicked clear. Nonna Mela, an up-close fourth early, finished second, 1 1/4 lengths ahead of Dawn the Destroyer. Golden Mischief, Asmussen’s other runner in the race, finished fourth and was followed, in order, by Student Body, Downtown Mama, Royal Inheritance, and Yorkiepoo Princess. Sister Kan scratched. “He told me she loves the slop, let her do her thing,” Velazquez said. “I came out running to make sure I got the position I wanted. I knew the horse inside was going to send and once I got in the position I wanted, I gave her a little chance around the turn and when I asked her down the lane she responded nicely.” In her last two starts, Vertical Oak had chased the talented American Gal, losing her to by 4 3/4 lengths in the Grade 3 Victory Ride at Belmont in July and by 7 1/2 lengths in the Grade 1 Test at seven furlongs here Aug. 5. Vertical Oak was the only member of the 10-horse Test field to run back in the Prioress. “This race suited us better than the Test,” Asmussen said. “I felt she’s a very seasoned filly. She broke her maiden here last year, she likes it at Saratoga, the Test being the race that it is I thought she deserved the chance. She ran valiantly in there, battled between fillies, and tired a bit late. Being able to back her up to three-quarters today helped her.” Vertical Oak, a daughter of Giant Oak owned by Kirk and Judy Robison, covered the six furlongs in 1:10.00 and returned $11.40 as the co-fourth choice in the field. For Asmussen, Vertical Oak’s victory capped a terrific weekend and a solid meet. Asmussen began the meet 0 for 23, but through Sunday has nine wins from 62 starters including Gun Runner’s Grade 1 victories in the Whitney on Aug. 5 and the Woodward on Saturday. Vertical Oak was one of three winners on Saturday’s card for Velazquez after he won four on Saturday. “That’s awesome right, for an old man,” said the 45-year-old Velazquez, who has 45 wins at the meet. Asmussen said he would most likely run Vertical Oak at six furlongs against older fillies and mares in her next start. One race that fits that bill is the Grade 2, $250,000 Thoroughbred Club of America at Keeneland on Oct. 7.   <<<>>>