Phoenix Thoroughbreds’ Crazy Beautiful will head to the Kentucky Oaks after an impressive score in the Gulfstream Park Oaks.
The Kenny McPeek trained filly ran out an easy winner over the two turns of the Florida circuit under an ice-cool ride from Jose Ortiz, guaranteeing her spot in the Churchill Downs contest. The victory marked a first Graded Stakes success for the stunning grey, who had previously placed in the G1 Alcibiades Stakes, the G2 Davona Dale and G3 Pocahontas Stakes, that after winning her first two career starts.
After the field got off to a level break, Ortiz settled the daughter of Liam’s Map at the rear of the peloton, leaving a bit of daylight to the pair’s nearest rival. There they sat until Ortiz started to make his move into the turn for home. Making smooth progress, passing runners, Crazy Beautiful was in a line of three with the other two market protagonists by the time the field rounded into the stretch. If fans expected an epic battle for glory, they were quickly disappointed as the Phoenix Thoroughbreds owned runner quickly asserted to win eased down.
“I’m really proud of her,” said a beaming Kenny McPeek. “Last year she was a bit of a bridesmaid and she was running against some others that were pretty good, but she ran well and deserved a Graded Stakes win.
“She’s one of those great students; she’s very quiet she does everything you ask her to do. I’m thrilled she made the Kentucky Oaks.
“Her last race was key, she ran really well and I thought we had her around 80%/85% for that start. I thought Jose gave her a perfect ride today, he got her in a nice rhythm and I told him not to rush anything. She was a lot further back than she normally has been, but she has a great turn of foot.”