GI Belmont Oaks Invitational Stakes

The unique Kentucky Downs meet featured on its Wednesday closing day card the GIII Blackwood Dueling Grounds Oaks Invitational Stakes, which was won in circuitous fashion by the late-running exploits of Fionn (Twirling Candy--Gaelic Gold, by Giant's Causeway). Never out of the money across seven prior starts, the filly christened her stakes run with a victory in the Allen Black Cat LaCombe Memorial Stakes at Fair Grounds Mar. 8. Turning in a respectable third to the stellar Nitrogen (Medaglia d'Oro) in the GII Appalachian Stakes at Keeneland Apr. 8, the...

5th-Saratoga, $115,000, Alw (NW2$X)/Opt. Clm ($62,500), 8-8, 3yo/up, f/m, 1 3/8mT, 2:20.25, gd, neck. ASPEN GROVE (IRE) (f, 4, Justify--Data Dependent {GSP, $136,670}, by More Than Ready), a Group 3 winner for James Stack in Ireland at two, kicked off her U.S. tenure with a narrow score in the 10-furlong GI Fasig-Tipton Belmont Oaks just over a year ago. Fifth in the GI Saratoga Derby, she was sixth in her debut for Jack Sisterson in Woodbine's E.P. Taylor Stakes last October. Given a freshener, she returned to be an improved...

   In this series, the TDN takes a look at notable successes of European-based sires in North America. This column is highlighted by the victory of Godolphin's Cinderella's Dream in the Belmont Oaks.   Slipper Fits For Godolphin Miss Flawless in her first four starts in England and Dubai prior to a seventh in the G1 QIPCO 1000 Guineas, Cinderella's Dream (GB) (Shamardal) handed breeder Godolphin and Charlie Appleby a victory in the GI Belmont Oaks Invitational Stakes during the final days of the Belmont at the Big A meeting...