Peach Brew outruns rivals in Arlington Oaks

ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, Ill. - It was not 4-5 pacesetting favorite C. S. Silk, nor was it 2-1 second choice Hot Cha Cha, who caught C. S. Silk at the quarter pole. No, this time it was the plucky Oklahoma-bred Peach Brew, who ran from the back of the pack to win the by a half-length over fellow late-closer Sweet and Flawless.

Peach Brew, 0 for 6 in 2009 going into the 1 1/8-mile Oaks, had not won since she captured the Oklahoma Classic Lassie last fall at Remington Park. She had tackled the likes of Rachel Alexandra in graded and listed stakes races earlier this year, and confirmed her fondness for the local Polytrack with a game win Saturday.

"When it's time to go, she gives 110 percent every time," said winning rider Quincy Hamilton.

Hamilton, an Arlington newcomer, is in the midst of a strong stretch right now, and he gave Peach Brew a trip that helped her win. Peach Brew raced fifth of six horses for much of the Oaks, ahead only of Sweet and Flawless. Both began rallying midway around the far turn, but Sweet and Flawless moved first and had to go wide, while Hamilton waited, cut the corner on the rail, and then swung out for room after turning for home. Peach Brew kicked in nicely, collared Hot Cha Cha inside the eighth pole, then held off Sweet and Flawless.

Things went much worse for C. S. Silk, who broke a touch awkwardly but made the lead before the first turn under Robby Albarado. She set fractions of 24.44 seconds for the quarter, and 48.19 to the half while racing in the clear, but when it came time to get down to business, C. S. Silk came up empty, checking in fifth.

"When they crept up to her at the five-sixteenths, she offered nothing," Albarado said.

Hot Cha Cha had rated nicely while saving ground much of the trip under Fernando Jara, and she was the first to attack. She ran on, but was worn down by the two closing outside her.

Peach Brew, a daughter of Milwaukee Brew, was bred and is owned by Robert Zoellner, who was winning his first graded stakes race, according to trainer Donnie Von Hemel. Peach Brew was timed in 1:50.89, and paid $18.80 to win.