HOT SPRINGS, AR – Swing and Sway took care of a small field and a sloppy track to win with ease in Saturday’s $150,000 Carousel Stakes at Oaklawn Park.
The small five-horse field broke from the gate and was immediately led by the pair of Vertical Oak and Mythical Tale with Swing and Sway content to sit back third behind the leaders. Into the stretch, Swing and Sway surprised the front runners when she broke to the lead, leaving the rest of the field behind to race for second place. For a split second, it looked as though Thoughtless would make a run to contest Swing and Sway, but she instead settled for second, with the morning line favorite Vertical Oak finishing up a comfortable third.
The stretch run by Swing and Sway appeared to not only surprise the duo of Vertical Oak and Mythical Tale, but also surprised Swing and Sway’s trainer, Ron Moquett. He said of jockey David Cabrera after the race, “I was questioning the move at the 1/4 pole, and then I was stating his brilliance in the stretch.”
Cabrera, on the other hand, wasn’t the least bit surprised by Swing and Sway’s late ability. He stated, “That’s what I was expecting out of her and that’s what she gave me. I love that filly!”
Swing and Sway returned $8.80 to win, $3.60 to place, and $2.40 to show. Thoughtless brought back $6.40 to place and $4.00 to show, while Vertical Oak paid $2.40 to show.
Marquee Miss was scratched.
