Chocolate Martini Sweet As Can Be In G2 Fair Grounds Oaks

NEW ORLEANS, LA – Double Doors Racing’s Chocolate Martini was sweet as can be on Saturday, rallying up just in time to take the Grade 2, $400,000 Fair Grounds Oaks.

Breaking widest in the field of seven under Mitchell Murrill, Chocolate Martini dropped back early and moved down to save ground while the favored Classy Act set splits of :23.39, :46.28, and 1:11.02. Given a rousing in the far turn, Chocolate Martini rallied along the outside of her foes, gained command near the 1/16-pole, and was able to just hold off Eskimo Kisses by a head at the wire, finishing the 1 1/16-mile main track event in 1:44.44.

Wonder Gadot was 3/4 of a length back in third, while Classy Act failed to sustain her lead, fading late and settling for fourth. She’s a Julie, Saguaro Row, and America’s Tale completed the order of finish. Patrona Margarita and Testing One Two were scratched.

The Fair Grounds Oaks is part of the Road to the 2018 Kentucky Oaks prep race season. Chocolate Martini earned 100 points for the win, with Eskimo Kisses receiving 40 for second, Wonder Gadot 20 for third, and Classy Act 10 for fourth.

“You can’t keep these owners away from the Kentucky Oaks,” Amoss said. “As long as she’s healthy we’re going to run there.”

Chocolate Martini’s win was her second straight at Fair Grounds and improved her overall record to 7-3-0-1 with career earnings of $278,636. Claimed for $25,000 on February 2 (after being available for $15,000 in her prior race), the daughter of Broken Vow returned last out to win by a neck while offered for a $50,000 tag, though she went untouched. Suffice to say, don’t expect to see her available via claim again anytime soon.

“We were very, very lucky to get this horse just as she was starting to become a better racehorse, which you see a lot with the young horses,” Amoss said. “I can’t stress enough how lucky we were to get her while she was maturing.”

Chocolate Martini returned $29.80 to win, $10.80 to place, and $3.80 to show. Eskimo Kisses brought back $5.20 to place and $3.20 to show, while Wonder Gadot paid $2.40 to show.

Be sure to check the Results page for details on every thoroughbred and quarter horse race in North America, including how our PREMIUM PICKS performed!