Oliver steps forward again in E.B. Johnston Stakes

CYPRESS, Calif. – Oliver has changed this summer.

A 3-year-old colt, Oliver was second at 26-1 in the Real Good Deal Stakes for statebred 3-year-olds at Del Mar on July 27, and followed with a win in an allowance race with a $20,000 claiming option for statebreds on Aug. 17.

Saturday at Los Alamitos, Oliver won his first stakes in his seventh attempt in the $75,000 E.B. Johnston Stakes for statebred milers.

“The older he gets, the better he gets,” jockey Martin Garcia said.

Oliver ($8.80) was well placed throughout the Johnston Stakes. Third on the backstretch, Oliver was second to early stretch before taking command with more than a furlong remaining. Oliver led by 1 1/2 lengths in the final furlong and won by that margin over 22-1 Tule Fog.

Queen Bee to You, the only mare in the field of eight, finished third at 8-1. Queen Bee to You won the Bertrando Stakes against statebred males here in June.

Cruel Intention, the 8-5 favorite, was well-placed on the final turn, but faded to finish fourth, followed by California Journey, Fire When Ready, Smokey Image, and Shades of Victory.

In 2018, Shades of Victory won the Johnston Stakes in an 80-1 upset.

Oliver was timed in 1:35.32 and earned $41,625 for owner William Peeples and trainer Doug O’Neill. Oliver earned a career-best Beyer Speed Figure of 92.

The Johnston Stakes was his fourth win in 13 starts and first around two turns. The previous wins were at five and 6 1/2 furlongs.

“He didn’t have any problems going two turns,” Garcia said. “I know it was tough company, but he was one of the tough ones, too.”

Oliver, by Papa Clem, has earned $228,076. At 2, he was third in the Graduation Stakes and I’m Smokin Stakes for statebred sprinters at the Del Mar summer meeting. The runner-up finish in the Real Good Deal Stakes was his best result in a stakes this year until Saturday’s win.