Always a Princess continues comeback in Indiana Oaks

ANDERSON, Ind. – Always a Princess passed her two-turn test Saturday when leading all the way under Martin Garcia to win the Grade 2, $205,200 Indiana Oaks at Hoosier Park.

Trainer Bob Baffert had expressed optimism beforehand that Always a Princess, an accomplished 2-year-old last year, would handle the 1 1/16-mile distance of the Indiana Oaks when making her second start at 3. He was right.

“She handled the two turns really well,” said Baffert. “She broke well, and they weren’t flying around there. It was a nice pace. This is good for her. It looks like she’s getting back in a groove.”

Always a Princess, bred and owned by Arnold Zetcher, returned $6.80 as the second choice after finishing in 1:43.60 over a sloppy track. Ash Zee, her race-long pursuer, finished 3 1/4 lengths back in second and another 2 3/4 lengths before Harissa, the 8-5 favorite in a field of six 3-year-old fillies. Seeking the Title was fourth.

Always a Princess ran second in the Grade 1 Oak Leaf in just her second career start last fall, then faded to fifth after leading past the eighth pole in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies. Away 10 months, she was a winner in her lone start this year, an allowance sprint at the end of the Del Mar meet.
Always a Princess, by Leroidesanimaux, was not pressured Saturday when setting fractions of 24, 48.40, and 1:13.

“I knew I had plenty of horse whenever I asked her,” said Garcia.

Jardim takes Schaefer Mile by seven lengths

Jardim ($20) rebounded off a 20-length defeat behind Blame and Quality Road in the Grade 1 Whitney Handicap to post an emphatic seven-length victory over Demarcation in the $104,250 Michael G. Schaefer Mile.

With Jon Court riding for trainer Eduardo Caramori, Jardim laid second most of the way before finishing in 1:37.20 for his first triumph in four North Amerircan starts. The 4-year-old Brazilian-bred gray colt is owned by Rupert Plersch. “He showed up today,” said Court.

* Northern Candyride ($9.20), with Leandro Goncalves riding, stalked the pace, split rivals, then drew off from favored Motown Boy to win the colt-and-gelding division of the $87,450 Hoosier Breeders’ Sophomore, the last of four Indiana-bred stakes on the day.

* Whistlin’ Jean ($11.40) got a great inside trip under Robby Albarado before capturing the filly division of the $87,000 Hoosier Breeders’ Sophomore.

* Bellamy Jones ($11) and jockey Fernando De La Cruz outran odds-on What About Ruby to the turn and proceeded to romp in the $87,650 Indiana Futurity.

* Perfectly Candid ($4), Goncalves up, turned back Dreamin Big to win the $87,700 Miss Indiana.