Ollie's Candy likely to try turf in San Clemente Stakes

ARCADIA, Calif. – After success on the synthetic surface at Golden Gate Fields and dirt at Santa Anita, the undefeated stakes winner Ollie’s Candy is scheduled to start on turf for the first time at Del Mar next month.

Ollie’s Candy won her stakes debut in the Grade 2 Summertime Oaks at 1 1/16 miles at Santa Anita on Saturday. Trainer William Morey said on Sunday she is likely to run in the Grade 2 San Clemente Stakes for 3-year-old fillies at a mile on turf July 21.

Changes in surfaces or distances do not seem to affect Ollie’s Candy.

“Why stop now?” Morey said. “We’re taking them as they come from now on. She’s proven herself.

“Our first thought is to try the turf at Del Mar.”

Owned by breeders Paul and Karen Eggert, Ollie’s Candy won her debut in a maiden race at six furlongs by 6 1/2 lengths at Golden Gate Fields on April 22 and followed with an easy victory by 7 3/4 lengths in an allowance race with a $40,000 claiming option at six furlongs there May 13.

In the $200,345 Summertime Oaks, Ollie’s Candy stalked pacesetter Thirteen Squared to early stretch and won a duel by a neck to give the Eggerts their first graded stakes win and Morey his first win at the Grade 2 level.

“They’re hard to come by,” he said.

Ollie’s Candy has earned $151,800 in her three wins.

Morey, 44, is having a milestone year. He won his first graded stakes in January with Coniah in the Grade 3 Las Cienegas Stakes.