WILMINGTON, DE — California invader It Tiz Well outlasted her foes in a grinding effort to take the Grade 3, $300,000 Delaware Oaks.
With Drayden Van Dyke aboard, the daughter of Arch stalked the pace set by Proud and Fearless, who cut moderate fractions of :24.28, :48.22, and 1:11.87. Coming off the far turn, It Tiz Well came upon the outside of Proud and Fearless and the pair brushed briefly before It Tiz Well powered past for a 1/2-length victory.
A late charge from the early trailer Actress was too little, too late, as she finished a head behind Proud and Fearless for third. You Know Too, Berned, and Modacious completed the order of finish.
The final time for the 1 1/16 miles over a fast main track was 1:43.55.
Winning rider Drayden Van Dyke felt good about It Tiz Well the entire trip.
“She broke sharp, and to be honest, she put us in a perfect spot, just off the lead,” said Van Dyke. “The two horse (Proud and Fearless) was going nice and easy with her ears pricked, so I did not want her to get to far away from me. But my horse was nice and relaxed the whole way, and she kicked home very well.”
It Tiz Well raised her career mark to four wins from eight starts and increased her career earnings to $466,840. The Delaware Oaks was the second career stakes victory for the Kentucky-bred conditioned by Hall of Fame trainer Jerry Hollendorfer. She previously won the Grade 3 Honeybee at Oaklawn Park on March 11.
This was the second career Delaware Oaks win for trainer Jerry Hollendorfer, who also won the race in 2011 with Blind Luck.
It Tiz Well returned $3.60, $2.80, and $2.10. Proud and Fearless brought back $4.40 and $2.80, while Actress paid $2.40 to show.
Delaware Park
