Spinamiss displays Florida Oaks potential

OLDSMAR, Fla. – Trainer Todd Pletcher unveiled a potential leading contender for the Grade 3 Florida Oaks in the Irish-bred Spinamiss, who won a first-level optional $75,000 claimer by a neck over a game Saturn Lace at Tampa Bay Downs on Sunday.

Saturn Lace pressed the pace and took the lead from the favored Moms Choice on the final turn of the one-mile turf race but couldn’t hold off Spinamiss, who went four wide into the lane and rallied steadily. Spinamiss ($7.60) finished in 1:37.75 on firm turf to defeat seven other 2-year-old fillies. Spinamiss, a daughter of Lilbourne Lad, has won 2 of 4 starts and earned $28,635. She had been off since finishing fourth in the Group 3 Japanese Racing Association Tyros Stakes for trainer Paul Deegan in Ireland in July.

“She’s very mature,” said winning jockey Manny Cruz. “She held her position, relaxed amazing, and when it was time to go, she broke off beautiful. I’m a little bit impressed how mature she is already. She’s a very nice-minded horse.”

The $200,000 Florida Oaks covers 1 1/16 miles on turf here March 12. When asked if he thought Spinamiss has the talent to contend at that level, Cruz said, “Oh yes, absolutely. With that mind, she’s going to go farther.”

Saturn Lace, an Irish-bred daughter of Kodiak trained by Roy Lerman and owned by his Lambholm South operation, also was making her North American debut. She had won 2 of 8 starts in Britain for trainer John Joseph Quinn.