Hollywood Oaks 2011 - Zazu defeats Plum Pretty to win, Joel Rosario helps filly win rivalry
She might have bumped pace setter, Wallstreeter, but Zazu did manage to squeeze past the 3-5 morning line favourite, Plum Pretty, to win the Hollywood Oaks.
The Grade 2 event was held on June 25, 2011 and had a purse of about $147,000.
Ridden by the masterful hands of Joel Rosario, the three-year old grey filly got hold of her first graded win at Hollywood Park. The race was considered a re-match between Plum Pretty and Zazu.
The daughter of Tapit was bred in Kentucky by Summerhill Equine. She is one of two winners from three starters out of the winning mare Rhumb Line. This win has boosted her career earnings to $472, 985.
Plum Pretty defeated Zazu by a neck in the Kentucky Oaks. As if to atone for that Zazu, who is trained by John Sadler scored a win in the Hollywood Oaks.
Sadler commented on her win by saying:
“She ran really well in the Kentucky Oaks, the winner just got a little better trip, She was on her home court and her home base today, so that helps. It was just a beautiful ride by Joel. He cut the corner on the turn and probably that was the difference”.
Zazu was racing behind Plum Pretty and Wallstreeter on the final turn in third position. She almost bumped into the rail in her attempt to sneak past either of the two to get to the wire.
However, she remained firm and made it through a narrow opening. She wore down Plum Pretty, who came in second by 1 1/2 lengths. Zazu ran the 8.5 furlongs on the cushion track in a time span of 1 minute and 43.36 seconds.
This was Zazu’s second major stakes of the year in Hollywood Oaks, the first stakes win came in the Grade 1 Las Virgenes Stakes. Plum Pretty was third in the Las Virgenes Stakes. It took place in Santa Anita on February 5, 2011.
The Jerry and Ann Moss owned filly was runner-up in the Santa Anita Oaks on March 5, 2011. And on the Churchill Downs surface, the three-year old came third on May 6, 2011 in the Kentucky Oaks.
Zazu in another race with Plum Pretty picked up third position in the Grade 2 Santa Ynez Stakes on January 15, 2011. Plum Pretty was third in that race. With the above stats it can be concluded that Zazu has now got the upper hand on Plum Pretty by beating
Plum Pretty in three of their four starts together.
Plum Pretty, who was attempting to be the first filly after Fran's Valentine in 1985, to score a win in both the Kentucky Oaks, and, the Hollywood Oaks, failed in her attempt to do so. An illness during the week before the race might have come in the way.
Plum Pretty’s trainer, Bob Baffert, after pulling her out of the Grade 1 Mother Goose Stakes, finally entered her in the Hollywood Oaks seeing her timely recovery. Zazu on the other hand did not face any physiological troubles before the race.
As for the other contestants of the Hollywood Oaks, Love Theway Youare finished third and Wallstreeter was fourth.
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