Occult keeps attracting believers in Busanda

Jan 14, 2023 James Scully/TwinSpires.com

Occult unleashed her move upon arriving at the top of the
stretch in the $100,000
Busanda S. at Aqueduct, surging to a clear lead and rolling home to a 3
3/4-length victory with Dylan Davis. The three-year-old filly confirmed herself
as an up-and-coming contender for the Kentucky Oaks (G1) at Churchill Downs on
May 5, earning 20 points for winning the Road to
the Kentucky Oaks series qualifier.

Chad Brown trains the daughter of Into Mischief for Alpha
Delta Stables, and Occult was exiting a 4 1/4-length maiden special weight romp
at Aqueduct in
mid-December in her second start.

The dark bay miss stretched out to 1 1/8 miles for her
stakes debut Saturday, tracking in second through fractions of :23.88, :48.77,
and 1:14.22 before going on to stop the teletimer in 1:54.78.

Occult left the starting gate as the 7-5 favorite among five
rivals. Gambling Girl, who was exiting a third in the
Demoiselle (G2) at Aqueduct in early December, rallied to be a clear
second, 3 1/4 lengths better than Affirmative Lady, who was off as the 9-5
second choice after a runner-up in the Demoiselle.

Sweetest Princess, the pacesetter at 21-1, was out-nosed for
third. Aniston didn’t break well and after traveling far back, she was eased in
the stretch and walked off the track.

A $625,000 yearling purchase at the 2021 Keeneland September
sale, Occult was bred in Kentucky by Peter Blum Thoroughbreds and is the third
stakes winner from the Grade 2-winning Empire Maker mare Magical Feeling.