Special Relativity romps in American Beauty

HOT SPRINGS, AR – M and M Racing’s Special Relativity sat back and allowed her six foes to tucker out, then split them en route to a romping score in Saturday’s $125,000 American Beauty Stakes at Oaklawn Park.

Breaking from post 5 under Orlando Mojica at 6/1 odds, Special Relativity allowed herself to be outrun early. She watched as the 4/5 favorite and defending champion Amy’s Challenge dueled with Mt. Brave through opening fractions of :21.81 and :45.44.

Inching up with a furlong remaining, Special Relativity split the pacesetters before kicking away convincingly for the score. The Robertino Diodoro trainee crossed 4 1/4 lengths ahead in a final time of 1:10.91 for the 6-furlong sprint over the fast main track.

“She ran big today,” Mojica said. “I knew there were some nice horses in there today. I stayed behind and waited to see what would happen. I was begging the two horses in front of me to get tired. It worked out perfect for me.”

Irish Mischief closed from mid-pack to take second by 3/4 of a length over Mt. Brave, with the same gap back to a yielding Amy’s Challenge in fourth. Talbeya, Raintree Starlet, and Ascot Day completed the order of finish. Three Chords was scratched.

Special Relativity’s win was her first since taking the Shine Again Stakes at Saratoga last July and improved her overall record to 26-8-5-6 with $535,900 earned. The 5-year-old daughter of Cowboy Cal briefly left Diodoro’s care to try her hand at Woodbine last fall, where she hit the board in three attempts (all against stakes foes) before returning to him over the winter.

“She ran great,” Diodoro said. “She’s a really nice mare. I was a little worried when I saw her down on the inside, but Orlando gave her a great ride when he was able to split horses and get to the outside. I can’t say enough about her and the job everyone did with her. She’s my assistant Ike Green’s favorite horse. He’s done a lot of work with her. It’s been a team effort.”

Special Relativity returned $14 to win, $4.80 to place, and $3 to show. Irish Mischief brought back $3.80 to place and $2.60 to show, while Mt. Brave paid $3 to show.