2012 Del Mar Oaks

Mike Smith celebrates aboard Lady of Shamrock after winning the 2012 Del Mar Oaks

The feature race on Saturday at Del Mar was the $300,000 Del Mar Oaks (G1) for older fillies and mares at 1 1/8 miles on the turf. 28,637 fans came out to the seaside oval under sunny skies and temperatures in the mid 80's. American Oaks (G1) winner Lady of Shamrock was sent off as the even-money favorite in the field of 9. In to challenge her included 5-2 second choice Eden's Moon, winner of the San Clemente Handicap (G2) affter finishing a close second in he Hollywood Oaks (G2), and 6-1 third choice My Gi Gi, second in the American Oaks after winning the Honeymoon Handicap (G2).

Lady of Shamrock takes the lead in stretch

Eden's Moon and 11-1 fourth choice Best Present Ever battled for the lead for the first 3/4 mile through fractions of 23.67, 47.12, and 1:10.89 over the firm Jimmy Durante course, while as many as 2 1/2 lengths in front of 22-1 Mary Fildes stalking in third. Entering the stretch, the lead pair tired as 25-1 Open Water gained a short lead through 1 mile in 1:34.71. Lady of Shamrock, last for the first 3/4 mile, unleashed a 6 wide rally late to win by 1/2 a length over 43-1 longest shot Stormy Lucy in 1:46.30, just 4/100 off the stakes record. It was another 2 1/2 lengths back to Open Water third.

Pgm Horse Jockey Win Place Show 2 Lady of Shamrock Smith 4.00 3.00 2.40 3 Stormy Lucy Pedroza 22.20 8.80 7 Open Water Delgadillo 8.00 Winning Time: 1:46.30 $1 Exacta 2-3 57.10 $2 Quinella 2-3 84.90 $1 Trifecta 2-3-7 726.00 $1 Superfecta 2-3-7-6 3,171.70 Results Chart

Left: Lady of Shamrock in the winner's circle. Winning trainer John Sadler said, "We got a little pace, but when you're even money and you're running from the back it's always a little gut-wrenching. I saw :23, :47, I was feeling good. The last time she closed into a :50 half. Very nice ride. A little wide, but when you're on the best horse you don't want to get in trouble.We thought she was the best horse and she lived up to the billing today. We're going to look at the (Rodeo Drive Stakes, former Yellow Ribbon) or the Queen Elizabeth II (Keeneland) and probably pick one of those. She's very good at Santa Anita, so we'll probably be leaning on staying home."

Right: Lady of Shamrock in the paddock before the race. Winning jockey Mike Smith said, "I liked where I was all the way around. We were last early, but she was under a long hold and running easy. She's one of those fillies with such a wicked turn of foot that you have to be careful. If you niggle on her a little bit, she goes from last to first right now. You've got to trust her. Taking the overland was no problem. No problem at all with her."

Left: Second place finisher Stormy Lucy in the paddock before the race. Jockey Martin Pedroza said, "I almost shocked the world. When I turned for home, I thought I was the winner. She was running so good. Then that other filly (Lady of Shamrock) came by us. I said to my filly: ‘Come on, momma, come on. Let's go back.' But the other filly was too tough. Just too tough."

Right: Third place finisher Open Water in the paddock. Jockey Agapito Delgadillo said, "I had a clean trip. It was a good try for her. The other two in front of us were just faster today."

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