Amandine might wheel back quickly for American Oaks

ARCADIA, Calif. – Amandine left the winner’s circle at Santa Anita at approximately 1:20 p.m. on Wednesday, minutes after winning the $79,685 Lady of Shamrock Stakes. There is a possibility, albeit slight, that she could be back on the track 74 hours later for Saturday’s Grade 1 American Oaks.

On Thursday morning, trainer Jeff Mullins said he had yet to discuss a quick turnaround with owners Red Baron’s Barn, Rancho Temescal and Shanderella Stables, stressing that the filly’s condition in the interim would play a pivotal role in the decision.

“She ate everything last night,” Mullins said. “I wouldn’t count it out.”

Running twice in a span of 72 hours is almost unheard of in modern racing. Amandine was entered for the $300,000 American Oaks for 3-year-old fillies at 1 1/4 miles on turf Wednesday morning, hours before the Lady of Shamrock Stakes. Mullins and the owners have until one hour before post time for the American Oaks to decide whether to start a filly who is unbeaten in two starts in the United States.

In the Lady of Shamrock Stakes, Amandine closed from fifth in a field of eight to win the one-mile turf race by 2 1/4 lengths under a confident Drayden Van Dyke. Amandine was bought privately in England in the fall. She won an allowance race with a $40,000 claiming option at Del Mar last month.

Amandine’s win in the Lady of Shamrock was the start of an excellent afternoon for Mullins, Red Baron’s Barn, and Rancho Temescal. They later teamed with jockey Flavien Prat to win the Grade 2 Mathis Brothers Mile with River Boyne.

Sent off at 2-5, River Boyne won his fifth stakes of 2018 in the $201,725 Mathis Brothers Mile, closing from seventh in a field of eight to hold off a late threat from Desert Stone.

“I think both horses performed to their capabilities,” Mullins said of Amandine and River Boyne.

“I was proud of both of them. We weren’t quite sure about the filly. You always worry about the ‘Euro bounce,’ but she moved forward.”

Mullins said Thursday that the Grade 1 Frank Kilroe Mile on turf March 9 is a long-range goal for River Boyne.

“He can have a short break and make that race, but that will be determined,” he said.

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