Competitionofideas caps season with Grade 1 win in American Oaks

ARCADIA, Calif. – Competitionofideas was a maiden as recently as early September. She ended the year with a striking win in the Grade 1 American Oaks for 3-year-old fillies at Santa Anita.

Ridden by Joel Rosario, Competitionofideas ($12.20) closed from last in a field of eight to win the $301,035 American Oaks at 1 1/4 miles on turf by a convincing 2 3/4 lengths over 90-1 K P Pergoliscious, the longest shot in the field. Amandine, who made a fast turnaround following a win in Wednesday’s Lady of Shamrock Stakes at Santa Anita, finished third after racing as close as second in the final furlong.

Competitionofideas was timed in 1:59.77 and earned a Beyer Speed Figure of 90. The win did not surprise jockey Joel Rosario, but the tactics were different than expected.

“I thought I’d be a little closer,” Rosario said. “I thought I’d be third. The pace was honest for a mile and a quarter. She was comfortable. I wanted to make one run."

Rosario had Competitionofideas on the inside when the field passed the stands for the first time, well behind K P Pergoliscious, who set early fractions of 24.02 seconds for the opening quarter-mile and 47.86 for a half-mile.

On the turn, Rosario moved Competitionofideas to the outside and finished rapidly. She was fourth, trailing by about 3 1/2 lengths with a furlong remaining and took the lead with ample time to spare.

“She was impressive,” Rosario said.

K P Pergoliscious, who was fourth in the Grade 3 Autumn Miss Stakes at a mile on turf in October in her only other stakes race, led by as much as 1-2 lengths over stablemate Amandine. K P Pergoliscious and Amandine are trained by Jeff Mullins.

Amandine was not confirmed as a starter for the American Oaks until Saturday morning after Mullins watched the filly exercise on the main track. He conferred with the owners – Red Baron’s Barn, Rancho Temescal, and Shanderella Stables - before deciding on the start.

Tim Cohen of Rancho Temescal said on Saturday morning that he had contacted Amandine’s previous owners in England to ask if they thought the filly could handle two races in close proximity. Cohen was informed the filly was capable of such an effort.

Amandine, who was imported from England in the fall, was ridden for the first time by Mike Smith, who replaced Drayden Van Dyke. In the American Oaks, Van Dyke was booked to ride Paved, who finished fifth.

“I’m happy,” Mullins said. “Mike said he never expected her to break like that. He said, ‘If you run one or the other, you might have won the race.’”

Amandine finished 1 1/4 lengths in front of Colonia, who was followed by Paved, Princess Warrior, Californiagoldrush, and Retro. Californiagoldrush, the 2-1 favorite, was as close as fourth on the turn, but faded from contention in her first start since a win in the Grade 2 Sands Point Stakes at Belmont Park in September.

Competitionofideas was based at Belmont Park this fall where she won a maiden special weight race and an allowance race on turf in consecutive starts in early September and late October. Competitionofideas was third in the Winter Memories Stakes at a mile on dirt at Aqueduct on Nov. 22, a race originally scheduled for the turf.

Rosario rode Competitionofideas for the first time in the Winter Memories.

“On the turf, she has a stronger finish,” Rosario said following the American Oaks.

By Speightstown, Competitionofideas has won 3 of 7 starts and earned $315,568 for Klaravich Stables and trainer Chad Brown.