Flying Connection takes Sunland Park Oaks, could be Kentucky Oaks bound
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Flying Connection could be bound for the Kentucky Oaks after picking up 50 qualifying points for that race Sunday with her gutsy win in the $300,000 Sunland Park Oaks.
Trainer Todd Fincher said he will wait to see how Flying Connection emerges from the taxing race before a final decision is made on proceeding to the Grade 1, $1.25 million classic for fillies May 5 at Churchill Downs.
“We’re just proud of her today,” Fincher said in a post-race interview broadcast by Sunland. “We’ll make those decisions later.”
The Sunland Oaks offered Kentucky Oaks points to the first five finishers in the 1 1/6-mile race, but of those horses, only Flying Connection is nominated to the Kentucky Oaks, according to the current list of nominations posted online by Churchill Downs.
Flying Connection ($4.60) broke well from the rail Sunday and was pushed through an opening quarter in 22.89 seconds, spurred on by Doinitthehardway. Flying Connection maintained her advantage through a half-mile in 46.09 and six furlongs in 1:11.14 before going on to a 2 1/4-length win over Love Tank. It was another 6 1/2 lengths back in third to Don’t Get Pickled.
Flying Connection covered the distance on a fast track in 1:43.90.
“[Doinitthehardway] pushed her really hard,” Fincher said in the interview from Sunland. “Most horses would fold at that point. She’s just a tough-minded filly.
"Brutal race. She ran great."
Alfredo Juarez Jr. was aboard Flying Connection, just as he was for her win in the $75,000 Island Fashion last month at Sunland and the $75,000 Zia Park Princess in November.
Flying Connection is a daughter of Nyquist and the mare Free Flying Soul, who was a multiple stakes winner of $423,177.
Flying Connection has now won 4 of 7 starts for earnings of $294,700. She races for the partnership of Brad King, Randy Andrews, G. Chris Coleman, Jim Cone, Suzanne Kirby and Robert L. Lewis.
The Sunland Oaks win was the first in the race for Fincher, who is the current leading trainer at Sunland.
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