MONOMOY GIRLS OUTDUELS WONDER GADOT TO WIN 144TH LONGINES KENTUCKY OAKS BEFORE 113,510

May 04, 2018 Churchill Downs Communications

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (Friday, May 4, 2018) – Michael Dubb, Monomoy Stables, The Elkstone Group and Bethlehem Stables’ Monomoy Girl outdueled Wonder Gadot by a half-length after a stretch-long duel to win the 144th running of the $1 million Longines Kentucky Oaks (Grade I) for 3-year-old fillies. Before a crowd of 113,510, the fifth largest Oaks Day in history.

Trained by Brad Cox and ridden by Florent Geroux, Monomoy Girl covered the 1 1/8 miles in 1:49.13.

Take Charge Paula led the field of 14 under the wire the first time as Geroux angled Monomoy Girl over into the three path going into the first turn from the No. 14 post.

Geroux was content to sit behind Take Charge Paula, who was tracked by Sassy Sienna and Classy Act, before moving to the lead entering the far turn.

At that point, Wonder Gadot and John Velazquez took up the chase and the two fillies hit the top of the stretch as a team and raced that way through the lane before Monomoy Girl edged away in the final strides.

There was some bumping in the stretch and Velazquez lodged an objection that was disallowed by the stewards.

Monomoy Girl is a Kentucky-bred daughter of Tapizar out of the Henny Hughes mare Drumette. The victory was worth $564,200 and increased her earnings to $1,120,750 with a record of 7-6-1-0.

Monomoy Girl is undefeated in three starts in 2018 with victories coming in the Rachel Alexandra (GII) at Fair Grounds and the Ashland (GI) at Keeneland, a victory that gave Cox his first Grade I win.

Monomoy Girl returned $7.20, $4.60 and $3.60. Wonder Gadot, paid her backers $14 and $7.20 in finishing 3 ¾ lengths in front of favored Midnight Bisou who paid $3.20 to show under Mike Smith.

It was another half-length back to Eskimo Kisses in fourth with Chocolate Martini, Sassy Siena, Coach Rocks, Kelly’s Humor, Heavenhasmynikki, Classy Act, My Miss Lilly, Patrona Margarita, Rayya and Take Charge Paula following in order.