Sharla Rae outfights heavy favorite in Barretts Debutante

CYPRESS, Calif. – The $100,000 Barretts Debutante was not a one-horse race, after all.

Impressive debut winner Into Oblivion took all the money at 1-5. She also took all the heat after breaking from the inside post. Into Oblivion put away two pace rivals, but was unable to hold off Sharla Rae ($12), who wore her down to win by a neck.

Sharla Rae dropped from a Grade 2, added blinkers, and returned to the Los Alamitos track on which she won her career debut in July. She also benefitted from a perfect trip under jockey Elvis Trujillo.

Sharla Rae was closer to the pace with blinkers on, and Trujillo tucked her fourth behind the three-way pace battle. At the top of the long stretch, he took Sharla Rae two-wide, and engaged Into Oblivion.

Those two battled the length of the lane, with Sharla Rae inching clear late to win the 6 ½-furlong race in 1:17.73.

Doug O’Neill trains Sharla Rae, a filly by Afleet Alex winning for the second time in three starts. In her previous start, she finished fourth in the Grade 2 Sorrento Stakes at Del Mar.

Into Oblivion ran well. Though the pace was not severe, she was under constant pressure setting fractions of 22.32 and 45.57 seconds. She put away her pace rivals, immediately was challenged by Sharla Rae into the lane, and tired while switching leads back and forth.

Into Oblivion finished 9 ½ lengths clear of third. The order of finish was completed by third-place Global Hart, followed by Golds Venice, Slew’s Charm, Aguacita, and Elusive Mistress.

There were three winning tickets in the pick six; each returned $58,291.40. Bettors wagered $209,419 into the Saturday pick six, chasing a two-day carryover of $59,133.