Tequilita skips Davona Dale to await Gulfstream Park Oaks

Tequilita, the upset winner of the Grade 2 Forward Gal on Feb. 4, was conspicuous by her absence when entries were drawn for Saturday’s Grade 2 Davona Dale Stakes. But trainer Michael Matz said he decided to skip the second leg of the local stakes series for 3-year-old fillies to await the Grade 2 Gulfstream Park Oaks at 1 1/16 miles on April 1.

“I thought it would be too much to ask her to run in all three races,” said Matz. “She’s started to learn to relax now, so I’m anxious to see where we are with her at this point by trying her around two turns in the Gulfstream Oaks. If she shows she can stay two turns, we’ll look ahead to the Kentucky Oaks. If not, there will be plenty of opportunities down the road keeping her around one turn the rest of the year.”