Speedy Falcon impresses in Sunland Oaks
SUNLAND PARK, N.M. - Trainer Henry Dominguez said all week that he didn't feel Speedy Falcon was going to be hindered by not having previously raced two turns, and his words proved true after her near gate-to-wire win in Saturday's $261,500 .
Jockey Ricardo Jaime sent Speedy Falcon from post 7 to get position just off the rail on the first turn. He then relaxed her with a long hold on the backstretch through a moderate half-mile in 47.22 seconds with Shane Sellers stalking her from the inside aboard 8-5 favorite Sister Swank.
Speedy Falcon began to edge away nearing the quarter pole and by the time the field turned for home it was apparent that the race was for second place. Speedy Falcon finished six lengths in front of Sister Swank while covering the mile in 1:36.57. She paid $9.60.
Skyladysky was three-quarters of a length behind Sister Swank in third.
For Dominguez the race was particularly satisfying as he had trained his filly up to the Oaks after winning the 6 1/2-furlong El Paso Times Handicap on Feb. 14.
"I was surprised that she got such an easy lead in a slow time, but I think the other jockeys took for granted she couldn't make the distance," Dominguez said. "It seemed like they were sitting back waiting for her to quit. But we had been teaching her to relax in the mornings and we were prepared to sit back and stalk if the race had shaped up that way."
Dominguez wasn't ready to commit as to what lies ahead for Speedy Falcon. "I just want to see how she comes back, then look things over and find the next logical spot," he said.
Speedy Falcon is now six for seven lifetime and perfect in three starts since coming into Dominguez's care after a disappointing effort here in the Nov. 28 Princess Stakes, a race in which she got burned up after dueling through a half in 44.44.
The $156,900 she earned in the Oaks gives her a lifetime total of $245,827. By Jeblar and out of the Agitate mare Tiny Falcon, owner Chris Coleman purchased Speedy Falcon for $50,000 out of the Ocala Breeder's 2-year-old in training sale last April.