Crypto Mo takes Iowa Oaks, gives jockey Murphy milestone victory
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Crypto Mo led throughout to give jockey Cindy Murphy the 2,000th Thoroughbred win of her career Saturday night in the Grade 3, $225,000 Iowa Oaks at Prairie Meadows.
It was two lengths back in second to favorite Imonra, who finished three lengths clear of third-place finisher Stellar Lady.
The Iowa Oaks was one of four stakes on the card, which also featured the Grade 3, $300,000 Cornhusker won by Giant Game ($20) and the $250,000 Iowa Derby captured by How Did He Do That ($98).
Crypto Mo ($9.60) moved to the lead right after the start of the 1 1/16-mile Iowa Oaks and was clear through fractions of 24.37 seconds for the opening quarter, 48.55 for the half-mile and 1:13.05 for six furlongs. She had more in the stretch as Imonra came calling, and went on to cover the distance on a fast track in 1:44.16.
Murphy was aboard the winner for her husband, co-owner and trainer Travis Murphy.
It’s been an emotional year for the couple. Last June, Cindy Murphy fractured her pelvis in four places and also sustained cracked ribs and a tear to an abdominal muscle when a 2-year-old filly fell on the 60-year-old rider before loading into the starting gate for a race at Prairie Meadows.
“This filly was the one that put me out of commission,” Murphy said in an interview simulcast by Prairie Meadows on Saturday. “I didn’t hold it against her. She paid me back.”
Crypto Mo will now be known for giving Murphy a milestone win. And it was a milestone for more than one reason: The Iowa Oaks was the first graded victory for Murphy, whose first career win came Dec. 8, 1987 at Tampa Bay Downs, according to records from Daily Racing Form.
Murphy has since compiled career Thoroughbred mount earnings of more than $24.2 million, from 18,130 starts. She won the first-ever race run at Prairie Meadows, and the track showed a replay of the victory from March 1, 1989, following her win in the Iowa Oaks.
Murphy also was feted in the winner’s circle with a sign and her fellow riders came out for a presentation photo Saturday.
Crypto Mo is unbeaten since she moved to two turns for a first-level allowance earlier this meet at Prairie Meadows. She won by 17 lengths and proceeded to capture the $50,000 Panthers at the meet before her win in the Iowa Oaks. Overall, the daughter of Mohaymen is 4 for 8 for earnings of $210,870.
Crypto Mo also races for Matt Trent and Triple V Racing.
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