Kentucky-bred She Feels Pretty made it back-to-back Grade 1 wins with a dominant victory in the $300,000 American Oaks (G1) at Santa Anita on Dec. 26.
Winner of the Queen Elizabeth II Cup (G1) at Keeneland by six lengths in October, She Feels Pretty was sent off as the 3-5 race favorite in the American Oaks. Under a tight hold from John Velazquez early, She Feels Pretty was forwardly placed throughout. On the final turn, she traveled three-to-four wide and unleashed a devastating turn of foot. She cruised by her rivals to win easily by 2 ½ lengths in the 1 1/4-mile event. Trained by Cherie DeVaux, She Feels Pretty is owned by Lael Stables.
“She is such a special filly,” said DeVaux. “Johnny has done a great job helping us get her to where she is. It has been a team effort for everybody to get her here.”
As for the trip, Velazquez said, “I wanted to keep her covered up. She is much better covered up, but today she was keen. I put her right behind the horse in front of me and I held her the best I could.”
She Feels Pretty a Millionaire Earner
A $240,000 acquisition from the 2022 Keeneland September sale, the American Oaks winner is now an earner of more than $1.1 million. Her record now stands at 8-5-1-2. She was bred in Kentucky by Payson Stud and is a daughter of Karakontie (JPN) out of the More Than Ready mare Summer Sweet.