1st place winner Maracuja was among five horses trained by New York-based Rob Atras to get to New Year’s Day at Oaklawn Park. 4 year old kid Honor code daughter is a candidate for the Apple Blossom Handicap (G1) April 23.
Beach Haven Thoroughbreds, Medallion Racings, Parkland Thoroughbreds, and Barry Fowler’s Maracuja topped the second season with victories over the American Oaks Coaching Club (G1) at Racecourse Saratoga. Last spring, she also placed second in the Gazelle Stakes (G3) at Aqueduct race track and finished her campaign with 4th place in Cotillion Stakes (G1) on September 25th at Racing Parx.
Atras said he’s targeting a March return for Maracuja and then “hopefully” a date in Apple Blossom. Azeri Stakes (G2) March 12 is the last major local prep event for Apple Blossom. Both races were 1/16 mile.
“It could be Azeri or it could be something else,” Atras said. “I’m not sure exactly yet. We’ll just have to see how things go. She got a real breeze up here before she left, so we just started with her.” She’s had a few months off on the farm in Kentucky. She’s been galloping here in New York for a month, with a slight breeze, and so we’re just starting to get her back. So we don’t have an exact timeframe with her yet.”
