Queens Embrace among those rematched in Saratoga Oaks

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – The field for the $500,000 Saratoga Oaks Invitational on Sunday will have a familiar look to it, with the first four finishers from the Grade 2 Lake Placid here on July 19 to meet again.

One of those is Queens Embrace, who rallied from last to finish third, 1 1/2 lengths behind race winner Speaktomeofsummer, in the 1 1/8-mile Lake Placid. Queens Embrace earned an 83 Beyer Speed Figure, matching her career best, posted just 16 days earlier for an entry-level allowance win against older horses at Monmouth Park.

“She’s been a real pleasure to be around,” trainer Kathleen O’Connell said. “She’s very professional, very classy, and the owners have been a blessing because they’ve let me take the baby steps I like to take, and she’s rewarded us even more than I thought she would.”

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Queens Embrace had won 5 of 6 starts prior to the Lake Placid, campaigning primarily at Tampa Bay Downs in starter-allowance races prior to shipping to Monmouth earlier this summer.

Tyler Gaffalione rode Queens Embrace in the Lake Placid and will be aboard for the 1 3/16-mile Saratoga Oaks.

“I think the more distance for her the better,” O’Connell said. “And I was really happy Tyler could ride her back because she’s a filly you need to ride once to really know her.”

Along with the top four from the Lake Placid – Speaktomeofsummer, Stunning Sky, Queens Embrace, and Key Biscayne – the field for the Oaks will include Enola Gay along with the Bill Mott-trained pair of Ricetta and Antoinette.