Family Tree shortens up in Remington Oaks
Family Tree has won some of the Midwest’s best races for her division, and she will attempt to pick off another one Sunday when she returns to the region for the $200,000 Remington Park Oaks. In her path is a competitive group that includes the Todd Pletcher trainees Unbridled Mo and Always On My Mind as well as Walkabout, who is a half-sister to Breeders’ Cup Classic winner Fort Larned.
The Remington Park Oaks, at 1 1/16 miles, shares a card with the Oklahoma Derby; the races are part of an all-stakes pick four on races 9-12. In a defection, Emmzy, who drew post 2 for the Remington Oaks, was instead to run Saturday night in the Dogwood Stakes at Churchill, trainer Brad Cox said Friday.
Family Tree last raced in New York, finishing third in the Grade 1 Alabama at Saratoga, after pairing up Midwest wins in the Grade 2 Indiana Oaks and Grade 3 Iowa Oaks.
“Both of those races were very good,” said Wayne Catalano, who trains Family Tree for Gary and Mary West. “I’ve been very happy with her performances. She looks like she’s getting a little better every race. She’s learning and maturing.”
Remington Oaks (Race 10)
KEY CONTENDERS
Family Tree, by Smart Strike
Last 3 Beyers: 83-90-87
◗ She will be cutting back to the distance of her wins in the Indiana Oaks and Iowa Oaks after racing over 1 1/4 miles in the Alabama, won by the champion Songbird.
“She ran a very nice race; I thought maybe she could have been second,” said Catalano, noting a traffic issue. “She ran good. Obviously, we know Songbird’s Songbird.”
◗ Family Tree drew post 9 and will be ridden by Rafael Bejarano.
“The outside post, she’ll be able to break and be wherever she wants,” Catalano said. “She likes to stalk a little bit.”
Unbridled Mo, by Uncle Mo
Last 3 Beyers: 85-75-77
◗ She’s the other graded stakes winner in the field, having taken the Monmouth Oaks in her last start Aug. 20. The Grade 3 race was the third straight win for Unbridled Mo, who races for breeder Red Oak Stable.
“She seems to be an improving filly,” Pletcher said. “She was able to win the Monmouth Oaks in her first try in a stakes. She’s put together a nice win streak. She’s typical of a lot of the Uncle Mos in that she likes to compete.”
◗ John Velazquez will ride Unbridled Mo.
“I think she’s shown some versatility,” Pletcher said. “I think if the race has a fast pace, she’s able to settle well back, and if there’s no pace, she’s got enough tactical speed that she can not be compromised by that. She’s pretty versatile.”