Cathryn Sophia Shines in Kentucky Oaks

With the absence of champion filly Songbird due to a fever, the Kentucky Oaks was wide open for 14 others to make history. Cathryn Sophia, trained by John Servis (made famous by a Triple Crown near-miss with Smarty Jones), seized the opportunity by winning the 142nd running of the Oaks by two to three lengths – completing the 1 1/8 mile trip in 1:50.53

“She’s maturing. She’s learning to settle. Now you will put her out on the pace to try to soften up another horse,” said Servis. “So with Songbird being out and her coming into this race as good as she was and how she learned to settle, we were feeling pretty good.”

Breaking from post position 14, Cathryn Sophia and 3x Eclipse Award winning jockey Javier Castellano settled into a comfortable fourth heading into the first turn. Early leader Terra Promessa ran the first quarter setting an uppity pace of :23.32 and was closely trailed by Rachel’s Valentina and Lewis Bay.

The group slowed at the half mile to :47.87 and Cathryn Sophia moved into third – passing Lewis Bay. Heading into the stretch, the four that lead the field from the break lined up for an all out battle for the wire. 300 yards from the finish, Cathryn Sophia pulled away as Rachel’s Valentina and Terra Promessa began to fade. Making a late surge was Land Over Sea who would finish a strong second, unable to catch the feisty Cathryn Sophia. Lewis Bay escaped a wall of horses to capture third.

Cathryn Sophia’s connections (who owned Afleet Alex) originally had concerns about her ability to go a longer distance after a disappointing outcome in the Ashland Stakes at Keeneland a few weeks prior. However, the filly rebounded well and was up for the momental task of the Oaks.

“I talked to John pretty much every day since the Ashland. He was just so confident in his filly,” owner Chuck Zachey said. “I was cautiously optimistic. Every time I talked to him, his confidence was just bubbling over. I think it happened probably about two weeks ago. She did about 11/12 for six furlongs. And he was just thrilled to death. We felt pretty good going into this race.”

Cathryn Sophia was purchased out of the Fasig-Tipton Midlantic Sale as a yearling in September of 2014 for just $30,000. The Maryland-bred is by Street Boss and out of a Mineshaft mare and has accumulated $949,720, standing a record of 6-5-0-1.

In regards to her next start, trainer John Servis stated, “I don’t know… I’ll let her tell me. If she is happy, continues to do as she is or even go forward, then we will probably go to the Acorn. And the reason I say I don’t know is that after yesterday that happened to open up a whole lot of avenues. Now I’m starting to think, wow, do I even want to shorten her back up to a one-turn mile after that race. There’s a lot to think about.”

Second place finisher Land Over Sea was reported to come out of the Oaks in great form. The Bellamy Road filly boarded a plane headed for Baltimore, Maryland, with stablemate and Kentucky Derby winner Nyquist earlier this afternoon. Third place finisher Lewis Bay shipped back to New York.
Payouts
Cathryn Sophia $11.40 $5.40 $3.80
Land Over Sea ——– $6.60 $5.20
Lewis Bay ——————- $4.60

Also Ran:
Go Maggie Go, Mo d’Amour, Rachel’s Valentina, Weep No More, Dream Dance, Paola Queen, Terra Promessa, Royal Obsession, Venus Valentine, Mokat, Taxable

Story by Natalie Rietkerk | Photos by Claudia Ruiz