Hall of Fame coach D. Wayne Lukas pointed out before February 26 the $300,000 Honeybee Stakes that he’s unafraid to go up against the boys as long as she prevails, a Goliath in of her rivals — and Briland Farm’s Secret Vow just like that when she produced a 7 1/2 lasting win on February 26 at Oaklawn Park.
It’s hard not to dream about the roses of Derby as the daughter of the late Arrogate won her third straight win over Hot Springs rugby and the first point of her career. She had a similarly dominating performance in the January 29 Martha Washington Stakes.
“I had to meet Rob and Stacy Mitchell (of Briland Farm) to see how they were feeling (running in the Arkansas Derby (G1) April 2,” Lukas said. maybe, and for sure the boys will be a tougher job for us, but we’ll see what the boys are up to and how they run today (in Rebel Stakes, G2) and beyond that makes the decision. She’s nominated here (to the Arkansas Derby) and (to) the Kentucky Derby (G1). “
Bets on the favorites 1-5, Secret Oath went slow out of the gate under the lead of regular pilot Luis Contreras, as usual for her, and settled in second to last early. Option accelerate to a narrow lead Yuguri. Overcoming a tedious first quarter at: 23.15 and a half-mile at: 47.07, Yuuguri started first since finishing as runner-up in the November 27 Golden Rod Stakes (G2) via a retreat option for command.
Secret Oath is ready to enter the turn but is forced to stand behind Yuuguri as Ice orchid and Ricardo Santana Jr. have held their ground, guarding the chestnuts inside with nowhere to run. Despite the great effort to stop the favorite, Secret Oath broke a narrow line along the fence as Yuuguri ran out to head back home.
Extending its edge with every stride, the Secret Oath hit 1:44.74 in a 1/16-mile run on the fast track.
“They drove her right in that bag for a little bit and I thought, ‘Well, someone has to suffer a little bit and give us a little room,'” Lukas said. “But then when she checked in and her head was up there, I thought, ‘Oh my, this is not a good situation,’ but she’s so chic, she just doesn’t let anything do it. ruffled her hair, she just dropped it and said “Adios.”
Ice Orchid, which had a first-time stake for Shortleaf Stable, finished second with Yuugiri completing the trilogy.
Secret Oath relationships enjoy the trophy presentation to Honeybee Stakes
Secret Oath took 50 points on Road to the Kentucky Oaks, putting her at the top of the Kentucky Oaks leaderboard with 60 points overall. Turnerloose and Shahama second with 50 points. If her connections decide to enter the $1,000,000 Arkansas Derby (G1), she will aim to become the only second person to ever win the all-important Kentucky Derby prep, after Althea was coached by Lukas in 1984.
Raised in Kentucky by the Briland Ranch, Secret Oath is out of the fray to win, #1 ranked Absinthe Minded, who is lobbied by similar ties. The quiet 15-year-old American mare has an unnamed 2-year-old child Medaglia d’Oro and covered by Map of Liam for the year 2022.
Videotapes: Honey bee S. (G3)
