Terra Promessa Makes It Four-In-A-Row With Impressive G3 Fantasy Win at Oaklawn Park

Hot Springs, Ark. (Saturday, April 9, 2016) – Stonestreet Stable LLC’s Terra Promessa has been perfect ever since finishing third in her debut last October and Saturday she improved her win streak to four-in-a-row with her victory in the $400,000 Fantasy Stakes (G3). She returned $2.80, $2.40 and $2.10 as the heavy 2-5 favorite.

Ridden by leading rider Ricardo Santana Jr., Terra Promessa was rank early as she was forced to sit behind Cosmic Evolution for an opening quarter mile in :23 2/5 and then Ready to Confess for a half mile in :46 4/5. Once she was allowed to do her own thing, she began to settle and took over as the field turned into the stretch. Her stablemate, Taxable, made a late run as the winner, but had to settle for second by a neck. Ready to Confess held on to be third. Winning time was 1:45 for 1 1/16 miles over a fast track.

“Obviously very proud of both of the fillies,” said winning trainer Steve Asmussen. “Running them against each other here, I just felt that they had both run so well here over the race track their last start. We’re definitely trying to get to the Oaks with both fillies. I thought this was the best opportunity for them.”

Terra Promessa’s Fantasy victory earned her 100 points towards eligibility in the $1 million Kentucky Oaks (G1) May 6 and combined with her 50 points from winning the Honeybee Stakes (G3) March 12, she is currently ranked second behind Songbird (190) with 150 points. Taxable earned 40 points for second and is 14^th on the list. Only 14 fillies can start in the Oaks.

The winner, a daughter of 2007 Arkansas Derby winner Curlin bred by her owner, has now won four of five career starts and earned $440,600.

Live racing resumes Sunday with a 10-race card highlighted by the $400,000 Count Fleet Sprint Handicap (G3) for older sprinters going six furlongs. First post is 1:30 p.m.

Fantasy Stakes Quotes:

Winning trainer Steve Asmussen, Terra Promessa – “Obviously very proud of both of the fillies. Running them against each other here, I just felt that they had both run so well here over the race track their last start. We’re definitely trying to get to the Oaks with both fillies. I thought this was the best opportunity for them.”

Winning jockey Ricardo Santana Jr., Terra Promessa – “That’s a really, really nice filly. She’s a hard trier. Every race, she’s doing better and better and better. I really like my filly for the Oaks. I think we have a really good chance in that race.

“I know my filly and I know she has a lot of fight in her. Every time she runs, she does better, better and better. She was pretty sharp today and I know if she ever felt another filly alongside her, she would fight back and she showed that today. She was going to let the other filly get by her. She’s going to be tough for the Oaks. I’m excited.”

Jockey Joe Rocco Jr., second aboard Taxable (picked up mount late after Corey Nakatani took off mounts) – “My filly ran really well. We sat off the favorite, Steve’s other horse, and took our time, picked our way through the field. When I called on her, she gave me a nice run and I thought we were going to get by the other filly. She got a little tired late, she was switching leads down the stretch. I hope I get to ride her back because she’s a nice filly.”

Jockey Luis Quinonez, third aboard Ready to Confess – “We ran 3^rd, she ran really well. We went a little fast early, but was able to relax up front once she was by herself and that helped her with her finish today. We just got outrun today.”

Source: Oaklawn Park