Redstart wins maiden in Queen City Oaks

Redstart, a maiden racing beyond six furlongs for the first time, relished the 1 1/8-mile distance to easily win Sunday’s $75,000 Queen City Oaks for Ohio-bred 3-year-old fillies at Belterra Park.

Ridden for the first time by John McKee, Redstart ($4.80) was facing statebreds after beginning her career sprinting twice at Churchill Downs. In her only previous start this season, she was third in a field of maidens in which the winner returned to finish third in an optional claimer at Del Mar.

Trained by Buff Bradley for Gunpowder Farms, Redstart ran the nine furlongs in 1:53.94 while finishing 4 1/2 lengths in front of last-out maiden winner U Rock Robin. It was another 5 1/2 lengths back to last-out maiden winner Beth’s Bling, the second choice at 3-2.