HOT SPRINGS, AR (Saturday, Feb. 1, 2020) – Juddmonte Farms, Inc.’s Taraz is already a heavyweight, but she proved light on her feet as she waltzed to an easy victory in Saturday’s $150,000 Martha Washington Stakes at Oaklawn, pushing her record to 3-for-3.
The 3-year-old filly is already big for her age, and she used that size to power to the lead despite starting a step slow in the four-horse race. She took jockey Florent Geroux to the front after a furlong and was never threatened for the rest of the one mile contest. She won by 3 3/4-lengths over O Seraphina in 1:38:64. She paid $2.20 and 2.10 as the 1/9 favorite.
“I love her,” said Geroux, who never had to unleash his riding crop. “She ended up good today. I think she’s definitely super talented.”
The other three fillies in the race followed Taraz around in order, with High On Gin third and Princesinha Julia fourth. The scratch of Shedaresthedevil forced the cancellation of show wagering.
“It was a big effort in her first race around two turns,” said trainer Brad Cox. “We knew she would be tough to catch, but she has a lot of improving to do. Her talent is there but she needs to settle down mentally.”
Cox wouldn’t name a next start for the homebred daughter of Into Mischief. She won the Letellier Memorial Stakes at Fair Grounds in her prior start after breaking her maiden at Churchill Downs last November.
Live racing resumes Sunday with a special first post of 12:30 p.m. to accommodate fans wishing to get home in time for the Big Game.
For more information, visit www.oaklawn.com or call 501-623-4411. Oaklawn – A New Level of Racing.
