Aqueduct: My Miss Sophia much the best in Gazelle

OZONE PARK, N.Y. – Never giving her many backers an anxious moment, My Miss Sophia galloped into the Kentucky Oaks picture by smashing five opponents in Saturday’s $300,000 Gazelle Stakes at Aqueduct, giving trainer Todd Pletcher his first win in the Grade 2 race for 3-year-old fillies.

My Miss Sophia, who was off a step slow in a one-mile maiden win at Gulfstream Park 27 days earlier, broke sharply with Javier Castellano to seize command before reaching the first turn.

My Miss Sophia ($3.60) rated along comfortably while pressed by Vero Amore through early fractions of 24.31 and 48.23 seconds, maintained a clear advantage around the turn through six furlongs in 1:12.39, and widened through the lane to score by 7 1/4 lengths over stablemate Got Lucky, who edged Sweet Reason by a half-length for second.

“She broke well out of the gate,” said Castellano. “I was the only speed and I took advantage of it. She was able to relax. I was really impressed because she had only been shorter distances and today we stretched her out to a mile and an eighth. I think she improved and I liked the way she did it and she was much the best in the race.”

Making just the third start of her career, My Miss Sophia ran 1 1/8 miles on a fast main track in 1:50.48, a time virtually identical to last year’s renewal in which Close Hatches defeated fellow Eclipse Award finalist Princess of Sylmar. Princess of Sylmar subsequently won four straight Grade 1 stakes for Pletcher, beginning with the Kentucky Oaks at 38-1.

“It went how we thought it might on paper,” said Pletcher. “[Vero Amore] was kind of on her flank a little bit, but it didn’t look like she was ever under any pressure. You have to have a horse that can do that. You can’t take a horse out of their game.’

Got Lucky, who was off slowest, rallied from next-to-last to overtake Sweet Reason, who had moved closest to the winner with a ground-saving trip into the stretch.

My Miss Sophia and Got Lucky each punched their ticket to the Kentucky Oaks. “That’s the plan,” said Pletcher. “We felt like Got Lucky ran well also. While the pace scenario was good for My Miss Sophia, it worked against the other filly. But it hopefully set her up. And she got a little squeezed at the start.”

Vero Amore faded to fourth. Bird Maker and Wraith completed the order of finish.