Explora up front in BC Juvenile Fillies picture with Oak Leaf triumph
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ARCADIA, Calif. – Explora took off blinkers, took back off the pace, and took off at the quarter pole to score a convincing win in the Grade 2 Oak Leaf Stakes on Saturday at Santa Anita.
The 4 1/4-length victory over runner-up La Wally in the 1 1/16-mile race confirmed Bob Baffert-trained Explora as one of the top contenders in a wide-open Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies. The Oak Leaf was a Win and You’re In.
“It’s good to salvage one for the day,” Baffert said. Earlier Saturday, Baffert runners finished 2-3-5-6 in the Grade 1 American Pharoah.
The Oak Leaf provided a measure of redemption for Explora ($2.80), who finished second last out as the odds-on favorite in the seven-furlong Grade 1 Del Mar Debutante. Juan Hernandez has ridden Explora all three starts and said she was more relaxed without the blinkers she wore her first two starts when she set the pace.
“She’s a little aggressive,” Hernandez said. “I think last time that cost me the race because I went a little quick early and didn’t finish so good. Today was the opposite.”
Explora was forced to use her speed in the Del Mar Debutante after breaking from the rail, but she benefitted from a comfortable trip in the Oak Leaf. Her stablemate Himika shot to the lead as expected, while Explora took back to race third on the outside. Initially, Baffert was unsure if her new style would be effective.
“I didn’t know if she was relaxing down the backside,” Baffert said. He said he thought “she’s either relaxing, or she’s not running.”
Turns out, Explora was running. Himika set the pace to the top of the stretch, by which time Explora had ranged up on the outside. Hernandez asked her to go, and she went.
Explora won in a tepid 1:44.13 over a surface that may have slowed as the day progressed. Her final time was .46 seconds slower than the blanket-finish American Pharoah Stakes won by the colt Intrepido.
Oak Leaf second favorite La Wally was unable to establish a forward position early, rallied wide, but was no match. She finished 1 1/4 lengths in front of La Ville Lumiere. After the top three, the order of finish was completed by Banzai Betty, Himika and Heaven’s Bolt.
The win by Explora was Baffert’s record-extending 14th in the Oak Leaf. Explora is a daughter of Blame owned by Mike Pegram, Karl Watson and Paul Weitman. The win by Explora validated Del Mar Debutante winner Bottle of Rouge, who is training into the BC Juvenile Fillies.
The last Oak Leaf winner to win the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies was Songbird in 2015.
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