Magical Lagoon hangs on to win depleted Irish Oaks

Magical Lagoon held off Toy and won the Irish Oaks by a half-length on Saturday at The Curragh.

The Group 1 Classic lost its overwhelming favorite late this week when airplane issues left Emily Upjohn stuck in England.

In Emily Upjohn’s absence, Magical Lagoon was just over even money in this 1 1/2-mile contest run over The Curragh’s expansive right-handed course. In a spread-out field of seven, Magical Lagoon got a nice trip under Shane Foley tracking the pace while racing in the clear. Foley and Magical Lagoon took over with about a quarter-mile to run and when Toy mounted a serious challenge at the furlong grounds, Magical Lagoon dug in and stood her ground.

:: Bet the races with a $200 First Deposit Match and FREE Formulator PPs! Join DRF Bets.

Toy had been handily beaten in her first two Group 1 attempts and the form of Saturday’s race looks iffy for the class level, but Magical Lagoon nonetheless provided a first Irish Oaks for Ireland-based stalwart trainer Jessica Harrington. Magical Lagoon, who won her first Group 1, is by the late, great Galileo out of Night Lagoon, by Lagunas.