Atras looking at Kentucky Oaks for Gazelle runner-up Maracuja

OZONE PARK, N.Y. – Maracuja ran well enough in the Grade 3 Gazelle to warrant consideration for the Kentucky Oaks, and trainer Rob Atras will let her convince him to take her there when she returns to the work tab later this week.

“Right now we’re planning on going, if things aren’t 100 percent with her then we won’t do it,” Atras said.

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Atras is hoping to work Maracuja twice at Belmont Park before the Oaks, though some unsettled weather later this week is interfering with his schedule. The Belmont surfaces were both wet on Monday and rain is in the forecast Thursday and Friday.

Maracuja, a daughter of Honor Code, finished second to Search Results in the Gazelle, rallying from last of six under Kendrick Carmouche. She lost by 2 3/4 lengths while finishing nearly four lengths clear of third-place finisher Army Wife. It was Maracuja’s first start at 1 1/8 miles and two turns after three sprint starts, which produced one victory.

“I expected her to handle the distance, but moving from 6 1/2 to a mile and an eighth, you never know until you see them do it,” said Atras, who trains Maracuja for the Beach Haven Thoroughbreds of John Sakkos. “I was really happy with her, Kendrick was really happy with her, too. I think she took a big step forward. We thought she might be able to get to that level. I didn’t think she’d get there quite so fast.”

Maracuja earned an 89 Beyer Speed Figure for her runner-up performance in the Gazelle, which puts her in the mix of the contenders for what is shaping up to be a very competitive Kentucky Oaks.