Malathaat remains unbeaten with thrilling Kentucky Oaks win

Apr 30, 2021 J. Keeler Johnson

In a thrilling battle under the historic Twin Spires, 5-2 favorite Malathaat kept her unbeaten record intact with a tenacious victory in 147th running of the $1.25 million Kentucky Oaks (G1) on Friday at Churchill Downs.

Ridden to victory by Hall of Fame jockey John Velazquez, Malathaat was squeezed at the start of the 1 1/8-mile race, but soon advanced through the pack to settle just a few lengths behind pacesetter Travel Column. Racing wide behind splits of :23.60, :47.47, and 1:11.31, Malathaat began to rally around the final turn, shadowing the advance of her similarly undefeated rival Search Results.

At the top of the stretch, Travel Column ran out of steam, leaving Malathaat and Search Results to battle for top honors. The latter proved stubborn, refusing to yield when challenged by Malathaat, but the favorite always had an edge and forged on to win by a neck in 1:48.99.
Will’s Secret edged Clairiere for third place, while Travel Column stayed on for a top-five finish. Millefeuille, Maracuja, Pauline’s Pearl, Coach, Crazy Beautiful, Moraz, Pass the Champagne, and Competitive Speed completed the order of finish, while Ava’s Grace was a scratch.
Bred in Kentucky by Stonestreet Thoroughbred Holdings, Malaathat was purchased by Shadwell Stable as a yearling for $1.05 million, a price due at least in part to her high-class pedigree. Malathaat is a daughter of Curlin out of the A.P. Indy mare Dreaming of Julia, a Grade 1 winner who finished fourth as the favorite in the 2013 Kentucky Oaks.

For Malathaat, the victory marked her fifth success from as many starts, including previous graded stakes triumphs in the Ashland (G1) and Demoiselle (G2). For trainer Todd Pletcher, the win marked his fourth in the Kentucky Oaks, following Ashado (2004), Rags to Riches (2007), and Princess of Sylmar (2013). Ashado, like Malathaat, was guided to victory by John Velazquez.

Malathaat returned $7.00 to win, $4.60 to place, and $3.40 to show. Search Results returned $6.80 to place and $5.60 to show, while Will’s Secret paid $9.60 to show. The remainder of the payoffs are listed below:
$1 Double: $17.80
$2 Exacta: 37.80
50-cent Trifecta: $232.25
$1 Superfacta: $2,808.70
$1 Super High Five: $6,902.00
50-cent Pick 3: $159.90
50-cent Pick 4: $384.65
50-cent Pick 5: $3,310.45
20-cent Derby City Pick 6: $2,273.30 (carrayover of $99,382.42)

Racing at Churchill Downs continues on Saturday with a 14-race card highlighted by the 147th running of the $3 million Kentucky Derby (G1). First post time is 10:30 a.m. ET, with the Derby slated for 6:57 p.m.

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