HALLANDALE BEACH, FL – Given free reign to race as she pleased, Peter Callahan’s Swiss Skydiver stole Saturday’s $200,000 Fasig-Tipton Gulfstream Park Oaks (G2) on the front end to pull the upset.
Breaking from post 6 under Paco Lopez at 9/1 odds, Swiss Skydiver hustled to the lead heading into the clubhouse turn. While Lucrezia closely challenged her early on, Swiss Skydiver posted opening fractions of :24.33, :49.12, and 1:13.30.
Beginning to inch ahead at the top of the far turn, Swiss Skydiver continued to stretch her legs as she straightened for home. Distancing herself from the field late, the Kenny McPeek trainee crossed 3 1/4 lengths the best in a final time of 1:43.54 for the 1 1/16-mile event over the fast main track.
While unable to keep pace with the runaway winner, Lucrezia gamely fended off Lake Avenue to hold second by a nose, with Bajan Girl a 1/2-length behind them in fourth. Spice Is Nice, the 2/1 second choice, could do no better than fifth after toiling near the rear.
Dream Marie edged the 9/5 favorite Tonalist’s Shape by a 1/2-length after the bettors’ choice put forth a dull effort and suffered her first loss in six career starts. Spartanka, Mrs. S, Inveterate, Sunset Promise, and Addilyn completed the order of finish. Four Grands and Marialuisa were scratched after failing to draw in from the Also Eligibles list.
The Gulfstream Park Oaks is part of the Road to the 2020 Kentucky Oaks prep race season. Swiss Skydiver earned 100 points for the win, with Lucrezia receiving 40 for second, Lake Avenue 20 for third, and Bajan Girl 10 for fourth.
Swiss Skydiver’s win was her first since winning her debut at Churchill Downs on November 16 and improved her overall record to 5-2-1-1. The 3-year-old daughter of Daredevil, most recently third in the Rachel Alexandra Stakes (G2) at Fair Grounds, has now earned $197,980.
Swiss Skydiver returned $20.20 to win, $9.40 to place, and $6.20 to show. Lucrezia brought back $6.40 to place and $4.80 to show, while Lake Avenue paid $5 to show.
