Oaklawn Park: Honeybee gets second version of Euphrosyne
HOT SPRINGS, Ark. – Euphrosyne, who shares a unique name with a quality mare of yesteryear, is one of the more promising 3-year-old fillies set to run in the Grade 3, $150,000 Honeybee at Oaklawn on Saturday. She was second in last month’s $100,000 Martha Washington in her stakes debut, after launching her career last fall at Belmont Park.
Euphrosyne, the mare of yesteryear, also raced at Belmont, from 1979-1981. She was a multiple stakes winner on the grass, and in a $100,000 stakes at Aqueduct in 1981 defeated Mairzy Doates, winner of the inaugural Japan Cup. All told, the elder Euphrosyne, who also raced against The Very One and Just a Game, won 10 races and $339,538.
The younger Euphrosyne will be part of an 11-horse field for the Honeybee, a 1 1/16-mile race that offers its winner 50 points on the Kentucky Oaks preference system administered by Churchill Downs. Euphrosyne will break from post 6. Trainer Steve Asmussen has given the mount to Ricardo Santana Jr., who has won five stakes this meet.
Euphrosyne won a maiden special weight route at Fair Grounds on Jan. 11, rolling by 6 3/4 lengths. She returned in the Martha Washington, and finished 1 1/2 lengths behind the winner, Aragorn Ami, who will not run back in the Honeybee. Asmussen said he sees reasons for Euphrosyne to move forward Saturday.
“She ran a good race,” Asmussen said of the Martha Washington. “I kind of thought she was up against it, shipping in here the day before and running, the tough weather. You know, traveling-wise and stuff, we weren’t able to let her have any time here before that last race, so I think she’ll step up.”
Asmussen said Euphrosyne was a private purchase following her debut, a maiden sprint in which she finished second Sept. 15 at Belmont. She now races for Gillian Campbell, Ralph Stayer, Shelly Stayer, Dan Clark, and Greg Skoda.
Euphrosyne is by Harlan’s Holiday and the mare Three Graces. Euphrosyne, in Greek mythology, was one of the “Three Graces.” There’s also reference to Euphrosyne as a goddess of joy, while there is also a saint Euphrosyne.
The complete Honeybee field from the rail is Please Explain; Taris; Silk Purse; Midnight Eclipse,; Springsteen Road; Euphrosyne; Courageous Julie; Kiss Moon; Ireland; Dream Spinner; and Sugar Shock.
All in the family
When the Josie Carroll-trained half-brothers Ami’s Holiday and Victory Exchange made their way to the paddock to school last weekend at Oaklawn, no siblings could have looked more different. Ami’s Holiday is a racy bay 3-year-old with a playful eye, while Victory Exchange is a striking grey 4-year-old who was authoritative leading his younger brother to the paddock.
What both horses have in common is winning. Ami’s Holiday won the first two starts of his career last year, including the Grade 3 Grey at Woodbine. Victory Exchange, meanwhile, will put his 2-for-2 record on the line in Friday’s seventh at Oaklawn. He’s part of a competitive field for a second-level optional $40,000 claimer at six furlongs.
The start will be Victory Exchange’s first since he won a first-level allowance at Woodbine in August. Carroll, who trains both horses for their breeder, Ivan Dalos, feels good about fitness Friday.
“On this racetrack, my only concern is that a lot of horses seem to need a race over it,” she said. “But he seems to be handling the surface well enough.”
Norberto Arroyo Jr. has the mount from post 2.
Ami’s Holiday, who had been a candidate for the Grade 2, $600,000 Rebel at Oaklawn March 15, will pass the race because his training has been interrupted by the winter weather. Carroll said the next move with Ami’s Holiday is to be determined, as is the next race for Aragorn Ami, who will be considered for the Grade 3, $400,000 Fantasy here April 5.