Wet Paint won the 2023 Martha Washington Stakes at Oaklawn Park to earn 20 points toward the 2023 Kentucky Oaks (G1). Is the Brad Cox trainee a top threat to win big on the 1st Friday of May? Tell us YOUR thoughts in the Comments section!
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The track press release:
As the rain began to pick up, the aptly named Wet Paint came from off the pace to pull the mild upset in the $150,000 Martha Washington and in the process earned herself 20 points towards eligibility in the May 5 Kentucky Oaks (G1).
Wet Paint, with jockey Flavien Prat in the irons, was the last out of the gate and was allowed to settle, while the previously unbeaten Olivia Twist, pressured by even-money favorite Defining Purpose, set fractions of :23 4/5 and :48 for the first half mile. Turning for home the favorite took a narrow lead, but it was short lived as 27-1 longshot Taxed took over briefly before Wet Paint came flying home late and drew off to win by two lengths. The winning time 1:44 3/5 over a good track.
Defining Purpose held on for third and was followed by Take Charge Briana, Olivia Twist and Key to Success. The second through fifth-place finishers also received points toward eligibility in the Kentucky Oaks on an 8-6-4-2 basis.
Wet Paint, a Blame filly trained by Brad Cox, improved her record to two wins from four starts and has now earned $162,500 for owner Godolphin LLC. She returned $8, $4.60 and $2.80 at odds of 3-1.
Stakes Quotes:
Winning jockey Flavien Prat: “Brad was telling me she wasn’t really quick out of there. He said to give her time to get herself on her leads. After that, she was traveling well. I was able to cut the corner. And, when I tipped her out, she really responded well.”
David Cabrera, jockey on beaten favorite Defining Purpose: “It is what it is. I don’t think she’s horse that likes to feel pressure. She’s a horse that likes to run free like last time (when winning the Year’s End Stakes Dec. 31). We’ll know that for next time.”
