Family Tree dominant in Zia Park Oaks

Family Tree put on a show in the $300,000 Zia Park Oaks on Wednesday, drawing off by 8 1/2 lengths while running 1 1/16 miles faster than her male counterparts one race earlier in the $200,000 Zia Park Derby.

The Zia Park Oaks anchored a card of nine stakes worth $1.2 million. The fourth annual Land of Enchantment program was the most prestigious card of the Zia meet in Hobbs, N.M.

Family Tree ($4.60) was the favorite based on wins in the Grade 2 Indiana Oaks and Grade 3 Iowa Oaks this year. She was always prominent Wednesday, tracking Coniah through fractions of 23.90 seconds for the opening quarter and 48.34 for the half-mile. Family Tree put a head in front through six furlongs in 1:12.57, then poured it on through the stretch, increasing her advantage while covering the distance on a fast track in 1:43.59.

Pass the Buck won the Zia Park Derby over Semper Fortis in 1:44.06.

Family Tree was ridden by Florent Geroux for Mary and Gary West and trainer Wayne Catalano. She was pointed for the Zia Oaks in part because it was one of the last opportunities of the year to run her against straight 3-year-olds, said Catalano. Earlier this year, Family Tree ran third in the Grade 1 Alabama.

Family Tree earned $180,000 in the Zia Oaks. She has won five of 12 starts and earned $689,387. Family Tree is a daughter of Smart Strike and was bred in Kentucky by Dell Ridge Farm and Sam-Son Farm.

K P Wildcat finished second in the Zia Oaks, while it was another neck back to Ready to Confess in third. Coniah ended up fourth as the second choice to Family Tree.