Lady Prancealot shoots the rail under Joe Bravo to win American Oaks
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ARCADIA, Calif. - Lady Prancealot and jockey Joe Bravo have become an unbeatable team in recent months.
Bravo rode Lady Prancealot for the first time in the Grade 3 Valley View Stakes at Keeneland in October, which the 3-year-old filly won by three-quarters of a length.
They were reunited in Saturday’s Grade 1 American Oaks for 3-year-old fillies at Santa Anita, with the same result. Lady Prancealot closed from off the pace with a rail move in the final furlong to edge an unlucky Mucho Unusual by a half-length.
Mucho Unusual, ridden by Joel Rosario, held a narrow lead with a furlong remaining, but could not hold off Lady Prancealot ($5.20).
“I knew she was the sort you could point,” Bravo said. “I was following Joel. When he came out, it made my decision easier.”
Lady Prancealot ran 1 1/4 miles on turf in 2:01.70 and earned a Beyer Speed Figure of 91. For Mucho Unusual, the $301,053 American Oaks was her first start at the distance.
“I thought I was on the winner turning for home,” Rosario said. “Someone was coming on the inside. She ran well going for the first time at 1 1/4 miles.”
Pretty Point, a 24-1 outsider, finished third, followed by Giza Goddess, Apache Princess, Vibrance, K P Slickem, and So Much Happy.
Bravo took a patient approach in the final half-mile. Lady Prancealot was behind a line of horses on the turn before space developed. The experience of riding Lady Prancealot in the Valley View Stakes was useful, he said.
“Knowing a horse is a big help,” Bravo said. “She takes you to places you want to be.”
Lady Prancealot has won three stakes, beginning with the Grade 3 Honeymoon Stakes at 1 1/8 miles on turf in June, her first stakes win. By Sir Prancealot, Lady Prancealot has been second or third in five other stakes, including a third in the Grade 1 Del Mar Oaks.
Owned by the partnership of Craig and Josie Arntz, Donald Durando, Michael and Jules Iavarone, and Jerry McClanahan and trained by Richard Baltas, Lady Prancealot has won 5 of 17 starts and earned $547,841.
