Pretty Birdie takes control, wins Purple Martin Stakes
HOT SPRINGS, Ark. - Pretty Birdie set a measured pace en route to a 2 3/4-length victory over Hypersport in the $150,000 Purple Martin on Saturday at Oaklawn Park.
It was another nose back in third to Wicked Halo.
The Purple Martin was for 3-year-old fillies at six furlongs. It was held on a glorious afternoon in the low 70s, before an estimated ontrack crowd of 31,000. The infield was open and a party atmosphere abounded one week out from the meet’s biggest card, Arkansas Derby Day.
Pretty Birdie ($9) is now a stakes winner at 2 and 3 after taking last year’s Grade 3 Schuylerville at Saratoga. She broke sharply in the Purple Martin and controlled the pace through an opening quarter in 21.63 seconds and a half-mile in 45.07. Pretty Birdie went on to cover the distance on a fast track in 1:09.01.
“She needed to learn to relax,” winning trainer Norm Casse said in a post-race interview broadcast by Oaklawn. “She’s on the lead, but reserved.”
David Cabrera was aboard for breeder and owner Marylou Whitney Stables.
Pretty Birdie is a daughter of Bird Song. She has now won 3 of 5 starts for earnings of $236,738.
Racing resumes Sunday, when Oaklawn will have a ceremonial draw for the Arkansas Derby starting at 12:30 p.m. Central in the winner’s circle, the track announced. The race will anchor a card of five stakes next Saturday.