Daydreaming in roughly-run Oaks

Daydreaming elevated her status in the 3-year-old filly ranks with her first graded stakes win, defeating six rivals in Friday night's Grade 3, $406,300 Indiana Breeders' Cup Oaks at Hoosier Park in Anderson, Ind.

Daydreaming, ridden by John Velazquez, sat just off the early pace set by Capeside Lady and Storm's Darling, and made her move nearing the stretch of the 1 1/16-mile Oaks. With favored Stellar Jayne also in close attendance to the pace, Daydreaming challenged three abreast coming to the eighth pole, drifted in a bit, but then surged clear late to score by 1 1/2 lengths in 1:43.65 for over a fast track.

Capeside Lady, who came out a bit near the eighth pole as the three contenders made their bids, held second, while Stellar Jayne, caught between the top pair and then switched to the outside for the final eighth of a mile, was a head back in third. The stewards posted an inquiry into the congestion in midstretch but ruled that no action was necessary.

Trained by Shug McGaughey, Daydreaming returned $7.20 as the 5-2 third choice and combined with Capeside Lady for a 7-4 exacta worth $28.80. Stellar Jayne, the even-money favorite, completed a 7-4-6 trifecta worth $44.20.

Owned by Ogden Mills Phipps, Daydreaming boosted her lifetime mark to 5-1-2 from nine starts while doubling her bankroll to $472,180 with the winner's share of $243,780.