Two Daredevil fillies finished first and second in today’s Kentucky Oaks – but whereas most people were betting on Swiss Skydiver, it was her less her known half-sister, Shedaresthedevil, who finished in front. Both of the Daredevil progeny finished ahead of the favorite, Gamine, who had trouble with the distance.
While Shedaresthedevil ran a great — and game — race, the only question is whether Swiss Skydiver’s jockey, Tyler Gaffalione, made a significant error when he failed to get his filly through a gap near the rail left by Johnny Velazquez on Gamine. Swiss Skydiver then had to check the filly, and come three wide around Gamine and Shedaresthedevil to make her run down the homestretch. She showed a lot of heart to finish so strongly.
Florent Geroux rode a perfect race on Shedaresthedevil, stalking Gamine through the opening half mile and then positioning his mount for a clear run at the favorite. Shedaresthedevil won by 1 1/2 lengths and set a new track record of 1:48.28. Swiss Skydiver finished second, Gamine third and Speech fourth.
Are you ready for the Derby tomorrow? I just hope it’s as good a race as this one.
Sad to say, I didn’t get to see the race, as we don’t get NBC’s ”’premium” channel. Still I watched it on the computer. I was surprised, I didn’t even think of Shedaresthedevil. Gamine, poor thing, ran out of run before she ran out of race, and still she held on for show. It’s a testament to the handicappers, these days, they had Gamine, Swiss Skydiver and Speech all finishing in one spot or another, and I watched their video’ed races…and the three did. Good race, though, and it’s funny how it started out slow…then the fillies all kicked it in gear.