Last Call back for another round in Jockey Club Oaks

Last Call will be wheeling back in 13 days when she runs in Saturday’s Grade 3, $350,000 Jockey Club Oaks Invitational at Aqueduct.

Last Call, trained in Canada by Kevin Attard, is coming out of a fourth-place finish in the $757,000 Dueling Grounds Oaks at Kentucky Downs on Sept. 3. Though Last Call shipped back to Woodbine after that race, trainer Kevin Attard said the Jockey Club Oaks was always a consideration. Though not among the initial list of invitees, Last Call was given an invitation by the New York Racing Association this week.

Last Call was one of four late invitees to the seven-horse field, which includes Neecie Marie and Stephanie’s Charm -- both of whom were entered in Friday’s Winter Memories Stakes -- and Quarrel.

“It’s a quick turnaround but the way she’s training well coming out of the race I called New York and they offered us the invite and I think she’s capable of going down there and giving a good effort,” Attard said.

In the Dueling Grounds Oaks, Last Call was 10th of 11 at the quarter pole. Under Joel Rosario she dove to the inside, had to wait for running room, and then finished well to be fourth, beaten a neck for third.

“She got into a little bit of trouble in the stretch, may have been third best,” Attard said. “She kind of got lost a little early in the race and was farther back than anticipated. Once she got her bearings straight, she picked up the bridle and came with a good run.”

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Joel Rosario rode Last Call in the Dueling Grounds Oaks. Irad Ortiz Jr. will ride her Saturday.

Last Call is just 1 for 8 lifetime, but the one win came in last September’s Grade 1 Natalma at Woodbine.

The likely favorite in the Jockey Club Oaks, run at 1 3/8 miles, is Eternal Hope, trained by Charlie Appleby for Godolphin. Eternal Hope is coming out of a third-place finish behind Group 1 winner Jannah Rose in the Group 2 Prix Alec Head at Deauville on Aug. 20.

Also entered in the Jockey Club Oaks were Highland Grace and Speirling Beag.

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