She Feels Pretty A Towering Winner of the American Oaks

[Wandering Eyes]

In search of a second consecutive victory at the highest level, Lael Stables' SHE FEELS PRETTY (f, 3, Karakontie {Jpn}–Summer Sweet, by More Than Ready) produced a sensational turn of speed approaching the quarter pole of Thursday's GI American Oaks and sprinted away from a solid field to add the 10-furlong feature to her latest success in the GI Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup at Keeneland Oct. 12. Off as the 3-5 jolly, the $240,000 Keeneland September yearling broke cleanly, but she clearly attempted to hurdle the dirt crossing and tugged John Velazquez from an early midfield berth to be fourth in the slipstream of 58-1 Valence (Violence) as they reached the first turn. Velazquez edged out one path to his right and raced three deep and facing the breeze with fully six furlongs to travel and the rider had two fists full of rein as he did his level best to get the strapping filly to settle down the back. Left in a bit of a tricky spot when Frankie Dettori went for an early move astride Kathynmarissa (American Pharoah) with less than a half-mile to race, She Feels Pretty was deftly steered off heels and into the clear midway on the second bend. When Velazquez finally acquiesced and allowed She Feels Pretty to have her head, the response was both immediate and devastating, as she sprinted her final quarter of a mile in a slick :22.63 to win by a comfortable margin. Sales history: $240,000 Ylg '22 KEESEP. Lifetime Record: 8-5-1-2. O-Lael Stables; B-Payson Stud Inc (KY); T-Cherie DeVaux.

 

“SHE FEELS PRETTY is absolutely gorgeous!” – @FrankMirahmadi@reredevaux trains the filly by Karakontie (JPN) (@Gainesway) who took the $300,000 American Oaks (G1) at @SantaAnitaPark. @ljlmvel was on board. pic.twitter.com/3rYoIA2qlC

— FanDuel Racing (@FanDuel_Racing) December 27, 2024

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