A clear theme emerged from the two sophomore turf stakes at Arlington on
Saturday, when a pair of well-regarded performers finally broke through after
frustrating losing streaks. One-time Kentucky Derby (G1) candidate GIANT OAK
(Giant’s Causeway) got up in the nick of time to take the $150,000
Arlington Classic S., while CONSEQUENCE (El Prado [Ire]) posted a
hard-fought decision in the $200,000
American One Thousand Guineas S. The two events were part of a quartet of
stakes on the card, the others being the Hanshin Cup H. (G3) and Arlington
Matron H. (G3).
A homebred campaigned by the Virginia H. Tarra Trust, Giant Oak relaxed well
off the early tempo set by 2-1 favorite Golden Mexico (Ire) (Daggers Drawn).
Turning for home, Eddie Razo Jr. managed to save ground along the inside, and
eventually angled Giant Oak to the outside for the drive. The Chris Block charge
took time to gather his momentum. Meanwhile, the stalking No Inflation (Repriced)
had rolled past Golden Mexico and appeared ready to spring a surprise, until
Giant Oak struck top gear. Lengthening stride in the final yards, Giant Oak
collared No Inflation, drew one length clear and completed the firm-turf 1 1/16
miles in 1:43 2/5.
The winner returned $7.40, $4.20 and $3 as the 5-2 second choice. No
Inflation had 1 3/4 lengths to spare over the late-running El Crespo (A.P. Indy)
in third, and Golden Mexico tired to fourth. The exotics were worth $137.20
(exacta), $818.40 (trifecta) and $2,802.60 (3-1-9-4 superfecta).
Giant Oak was snapping a five-race losing skid, which dated back to his
entry-level allowance/optional claiming victory last September on Arlington’s
Polytrack. The chestnut’s highlight as a juvenile was his near-miss second in
the Kentucky Jockey Club S. (G2), an effort that catapulted him onto the Derby
trail. Giant Oak never really got going at Fair Grounds this winter, however,
winding up fifth in the Risen Star S. (G3) and fourth in the Louisiana Derby
(G2). Returning to his home state, Giant Oak showed much more when second to
Musket Man (Yonaguska) in the Illinois Derby (G2) last time out. His connections
resisted a tilt at the Kentucky Derby, favoring a return to the turf, a surface
he enjoyed when breaking his maiden here in his career debut. That sound
judgment was rewarded Saturday, and Giant Oak boosted his bankroll to $304,796
from his 8-3-2-0 line.
The Illinois-bred was produced by Grade 3 queen Crafty Oak (Crafty
Prospector) and is a full brother to stakes victress Apple Martini.
Phipps Stable’s homebred Consequence had endured a four-race losing skein
since her maiden victory last summer, but the Shug McGaughey filly did
everything right in the American One Thousand Guineas. After tracking the slow
pace beneath John Velazquez, the 6-5 choice overtook longtime leader Afternoon
Stroll (Stroll) in deep stretch. Consequence was immediately challenged by
Excelente (Ire) (Exceed and Excel), who erupted from farther back and loomed
boldly. She never got past Consequence, however. The winner rose to the occasion
and fended off Excelente by a half-length while finishing the mile in 1:37 2/5.
Consequence paid $4.40, $3.40 and $2.40 and keyed the $42.40 exacta, $251.20
trifecta and $865.60 superfecta (7-4-8-2). Excelente crossed the wire a
half-length ahead of Afternoon Stroll.
Consequence improved her record to 6-2-0-1, $179,860. A debut maiden winner
at Saratoga, the chestnut has subsequently finished a close fourth in the Miss
Grillo S. (G3), sixth in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf, fourth in a
Gulfstream allowance, and third in the Beaumont S. (G2) on Keeneland’s Polytrack.
Consequence is out of multiple Grade 1 heroine Educated Risk (Mr. Prospector), a
half-sister to Hall of Famer Inside Information (Private Account), who is
herself the dam of champion Smuggler (Unbridled). Consequence’s fourth dam is
the blue hen producer Grey Flight (*Mahmoud).