River Ridge Ranch’s MAREN’S MEADOW (Meadowlake) led every step of the way in
Saturday’s $150,000
Monmouth Oaks (G3) and crossed under the wire 4 1/2 lengths the best under
jockey Terry Thompson. Setting splits of :23 2/5, :46 3/5, 1:11 3/5 and 1:37
1/5, the Larry Jones charge drew off in the stretch to finish 1 1/16 miles on
Monmouth Park’s fast dirt in 1:44.
Maren’s Meadows was sent off the 11-1 second longest shot in the field and
was worth $24.20, $7.80 and $5.60 while keying the $81.80 exacta and $237.40
trifecta (7-4-1). Acoma (Empire Maker) stumbled at the start, saved ground while
running just off the rail and finished well to take second by four lengths,
paying $3.80 and $3.60 at 2-1. Whirlie Bertie (Stormin Fever), the 8-5 favorite,
followed in third and returned $3, while African Violet (Lemon Drop Kid) and
Philly Gal (Doneraile Court) completed the order under the wire. Open Skies
(Defrere) and Populist (Fusaichi Pegasus) were withdrawn.
Maren’s Meadow returned to the winner’s circle for the first time since
taking the March 22 Bourbonette Oaks (G3), and she ran second in the first division
of the Martha Washington S. prior to that one. In her race before Saturday, the bay
filly was fourth in the Delaware Oaks (G2), and she has now earned $297,225 to
go along with an 11-4-2-1 mark.
Bred in Ontario by Josham Farms, Maren’s Meadow brought $25,000 as a Keeneland
September yearling. She is out of the winning Gold Liaka (Yukon), making her a
half-sister to stakes winners Golden Path (Slew O’ Gold) and Chamul (Mutakddim),
the unraced two-year-colt Khabibulin (El Corredor),
as well as an unnamed yearling colt by Roman Ruler. Maren’s Meadow is from the
same family as two Canadian Horses of the Year in Izvestia (Icecapade) and With
Approval (Caro [Ire]), as well as 1997 Belmont S. (G1) hero and sire Touch Gold
(Deputy Minister) and Grade 1 queen Healthy Addiction (Boston Harbor).