Academic sets record in upset Woodbine Oaks victory

ETOBICOKE, Ontario – Academic, a 66-1 supplement trained by Reade Baker, led all the way to capture Sunday’s $500,800 Woodbine Oaks, lowering the nine-furlong Polytrack record in the process.

Academic ($135.30) shook loose early under Justin Stein and set honest fractions of 23.63 seconds, 48.01, and 1:12.33. She maintained a clear lead all the way around and got home on top by 1 3/4 lengths in 1:48.86, which was 0.11 better faster than the previous record set by River Rush, who also was trained by Baker.

“She’s got some guts,” said Baker, who celebrated his second Oaks victory. “I think [because of] the big price, everybody left her alone on the lead. She got a great ride. The plan was to stay a length in front and not open up. She basically does what she wants to do. She’s got a mind of her own.”

London Tower, the 9-10 favorite, went four wide on both turns and rallied from seventh to finish second by a nose over a charging Season Ticket. Shez a Masterpiece, Galina Point, Brooklynsway, Tancook, Red River Heidi, Leading Edge, and Internal Bourbon completed the order of finish in the 60th running of the Oaks.

Danny Dion’s Bear Stable paid $12,500 to get Academic into the Oaks, and Baker said the plan is to supplement her to the $1 million Queen’s Plate on July 5 at a cost of $25,000. She earned $300,000 in the Oaks in her first start since winning her maiden in her May 15 season debut.