Kentucky-bred Maracuja, owned by Beach Haven Thoroughbreds, parlayed a strong move around the far turn to a determined victory over fellow Kentucky-bred and Kentucky Oaks (G1) victress Malathaat in the $500,000 Coaching Club American Oaks (G1) at Saratoga on July 24.
Ridden by Ricardo Santana Jr., Maracuja tracked the early pace in second, chasing Malathaat through an opening quarter-mile in :23.38. Santana then took Maracuja back, allowing Clairiere to apply continued pressure on Malathaat through a half-mile in :47.13 and six furlongs in 1:11.02. With Malathaat and Clairiere racing heads apart, Santana urged Maracuja to get closer to the top two heading into the far turn. With Clairiere giving way in the lane, Malathaat and Maracuja were left to duel to the wire together with Maracuja prevailing narrowly at the wire.
“She broke really sharp, which I was happy with, and she was kind of right there,” said winning trainer Rob Atras, who won his third career graded stakes and first Grade 1 with the victory. “They all seemed like they were coming, and I thought Ricardo made a smart move by backing off and coming around the outside. What a race. She loves the two turns. She puts a lot into her gallops every day. The further, the better for her.”
Seventh in the Kentucky Oaks on April 30, Maracuja, a daughter of Honor Code bred in Kentucky by River Bend Farm and Austin and Jamie Musselman, improved her record to 6-2-2-1. Out of the stakes-placed Unbridled’s Song mare Patti’s Regal Song, Maracuja’s bankroll now stands at $407,100.
John Sakkos, the founding partner of Beach Haven Thoroughbreds, said he was looking for an improved effort from his charge. He also indicated that the $600,000 Alabama Stakes (G1) at 1 ¼ miles on Aug. 21 at Saratoga is a possible next target.
“It was nerve-racking, especially after coming in seventh in the Oaks, but it was exciting,” Sakkos said. “I just hoping we would perform better than the Oaks. She had been doing well and Rob and the team have done a phenomenal job with her. She had a good rest after the Oaks.”
Kentucky-bred Malathaat, trained by Todd Pletcher and ridden by John Velazquez, was attempting to turn the Kentucky Oaks and CCA Oaks double, emulating the feat accomplished by Kentucky-bred Monomoy Girl in 2018.
“You have to play the cards you’re dealt. She was doing great,” Velazquez said. “She was comfortable in what she was doing, but she had to fight the whole way around and obviously set it up for somebody else. She’s a great horse and you can’t that away from her.”