Swiss Skydiver keeps win streak rolling with easy score in Santa Anita Oaks

Swiss Skydiver won her third consecutive graded stakes with minimal effort in the Grade 2 Santa Anita Oaks on Saturday. The victory solidified her status as a leading contender for the Kentucky Oaks at Churchill Downs on Sept. 4.

Facing on three rivals, Swiss Skydiver ($3.20) scooted to the lead on the first turn and was never challenged, running 1 1/16 miles in 1:43.20. She earned a Beyer Speed Figure of 95.

Merneith, making her stakes debut, was within 1 1/2 lengths of Swiss Skydiver on the backstretch through an opening quarter-mile in 22.92 seconds and a half-mile in 46.55. On the turn, Merneith (4-1) faded from contention, allowing Speech to move into second. Speech, second in the Grade 3 Santa Ysabel Stakes at Santa Anita on March 8, was never a threat to the winner.

Swiss Skydiver, ridden by Mike Smith, finished four lengths clear of 2-1 Speech, who was 7 1/4 lengths in front of third-place finisher Merneith. Regal Beauty (13-1) finished fourth. Smiling Shirlee, the winner of the Evening Jewel Stakes for California-bred 3-year-old fillies on May 16, was scratched.

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Swiss Skydiver has won three graded stakes at as many venues for owner Peter Callahan and trainer Ken McPeek this spring. She won the Grade 2 Gulfstream Park Oaks on March 28 and the Grade 3 Fantasy Stakes at Oaklawn Park on May 2.

Brian Hernandez Jr. rode Swiss Skydiver in the Fantasy. Smith phoned Hernandez to talk strategy in the days leading to the $200,000 Santa Anita Oaks.

“He said, ‘She’ll get to the lead fine,’ ” Smith said of the conversation. “I checked all the boxes and then I stayed on.”

Smith said his confidence soared when Swiss Skydiver was running well within herself on the turn.

“She really accelerated,” he said. “I kept busy to the eighth pole and she was on cruise control after that.”

Swiss Skydiver, by Daredevil, has won 4 of 7 starts and earned $557,980. The winning streak has pushed Swiss Skydiver to the fore of the national 3-year-old filly division nearing the summer.

McPeek said earlier in the week that Swiss Skydiver will be considered for the Grade 1 Ashland Stakes at Keeneland on July 11 in preparation for the Kentucky Oaks.