ARCADIA, Calif. – The most basic of equipment changes may have improved the career of the already accomplished filly She Feels Pretty, who starts in Thursday’s Grade 1 American Oaks at Santa Anita.
In the Grade 1 Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup at Keeneland in October, She Feels Pretty was fitted with blinkers for the first time in an effort to improve the filly’s attention and end a two-race losing streak.
It worked.
She Feels Pretty romped to a six-length win in the nation’s most prestigious race for 3-year-old fillies on turf.
“We were comfortable that the blinkers would do what they needed to do and keep her focused and pass the horses she was coming to,” trainer Cherie DeVaux said.
“It was a pleasant surprise. I don’t think anyone expects them to do that.”
She Feels Pretty, a winner of 4 of 7 starts for Lael Stables, including three stakes, will be favored to win the $300,000 American Oaks at 1 1/4 miles on turf. From DeVaux’s perspective, the American Oaks presents a distance challenge for She Feels Pretty. In her longest start, She Feels Pretty was third by three-quarters of a length as the 9-10 favorite in the Grade 1 Belmont Oaks at 1 3/16 miles at Aqueduct in July.
“I think the biggest question is the distance,” DeVaux said.
:: Access morning workout reports straight from the tracks and get an edge with DRF Clocker Reports
The American Oaks drew a field of 13 and is the final race on an outstanding 11-race program, the first day of the Santa Anita winter-spring meeting.
Of the 13 runners, She Feels Pretty is one of eight stakes winners along with Chatalas, Kathrynmarissa, Medoro, Omaha Girl, Sakura Blossom, Valence, and Watchtower.
She Feels Pretty tends to race as a stalker. The style did not result in wins over in the summer. After the third-place finish in the Belmont Oaks, She Feels Pretty was second by a neck at odds of 3-4 in the Grade 2 Lake Placid Stakes at 1 1/16 miles on turf for 3-year-old fillies on Aug. 17 at Saratoga. She closed from fourth and was in contention through the stretch.
“I thought she was hanging a bit,” DeVaux said.
The blinkers may have solved the issue. In the American Oaks, there will be plenty of rivals to pursue in the stretch.
:: Bet the races with a $200 First Deposit Match + FREE All Access PPs! Join DRF Bets.
In her career, She Feels Pretty has earned $948,317, second only among American Oaks entrants to Kathrynmarissa, who has collected $1,147,185.
Trained by Rick Dutrow, Kathrynmarissa has not raced since an appealing win by 2 1/2 lengths in the $1.53 million Dueling Ground Oaks at 1 5/16 miles on the undulating turf course at Kentucky Downs on Sept. 11.
Kathrynmarissa has won three of her last five starts. She closed from seventh of 12 in the Dueling Ground Oaks before taking the lead with more than a furlong remaining.
Dutrow said earlier this week that Kathrynmarissa is more likely to race near the front in the American Oaks, provided she can break well. He is quick to admit she is not the best filly from the gate.
“She hasn’t been breaking well,” he said. “I don’t know why. If she breaks well, she places herself in a very comfortable spot.
“She does have a nice closing kick and she seems like she’s getting better as the races get longer. We’re happy with her.”
Of the locally based fillies, the closer Watchtower is held in high regard. Trained by Richard Baltas, Watchtower will start at 1 1/4 miles on turf for the first time after closing from eighth of 10 to win the Grade 3 Autumn Miss Stakes at a mile on turf on Oct. 27 at Santa Anita in her last start, edging Medoro who also is part of the American Oaks field.
Watchtower has won 3 of 7 starts.
“It’s a big step up,” Baltas said. “I think she’s training better than ever. Hopefully, she can get a good trip and relax.”
:: Want to learn more about handicapping and wagering? Check out DRF's Handicapping 101 and Wagering 101 pages.