Chiefswood Stables’ homebred Waskesiu unleashed a late charge to win the $200,000 Florida Oaks (G3T) at Tampa Bay Downs, earning a victory in her graded stakes debut.
#5 WASKESIU gets up to win the $200,000 Florida Oaks (G3)! Bill Mott trains this three-year-old American Pharoah (@CoolmoreAmerica) filly. @JuniorandKellyA was in the irons. pic.twitter.com/t0XmP3oLh7
— TVG (@TVG) March 9, 2024
A troubled third in her stakes debut in the Jan. 6 Ginger Brew Stakes at Gulfstream Park, Waskesiu lined up as the 5-2 favorite in the field of 11 sophomore fillies and didn’t disappoint.
Tracking in fourth early behind quick fractions, Waskesiu saved ground along the rail under jockey Junior Alvarado before being angled three wide for the stretch run. Responding willingly, Waskesiu prevailed in the charge for the wire, a length clear of Style Points and Dancing N Dixie at the finish.
Ontario-bred Waskesiu ($7.80) was timed in 1:42.04 for 1 1/16 miles on a firm course. (This time is based on the video feed as the official chart was not available as of three hours after the race. Tampa Bay Downs was troubled by tote delays late on its Saturday card.)
Trained by Bill Mott, Waskesiu earned her maiden win at third asking in November at Aqueduct Racetrack. The 3-year-old daughter of American Pharoah becomes the first stakes winner produced by her dam, the Bernardini mare Finn’s Girl . Chiefswood also bred and campaigns Waskesiu’s older sibling, the multiple graded stakes-placed Tiznow gelding Collective Force .
What They Said
“I am very proud of her. I’ve been pointing for that race for a long time, ever since she broke her maiden. It worked out well. She came from off the pace and drove to the finish. Junior rode her beautifully. It was a very nice ride,” Mott said.
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