A thrilling race unfolds at Sunland Park, leaving fans in awe! Bottle of Rouge, the rising star filly, claimed a breathtaking win at the $250,000 Sunland Park Oaks on February 15th, solidifying her place among the elite.
After a stunning victory at the Del Mar Debutante Stakes (G1) in September, Bottle of Rouge, sired by the renowned Vino Rosso, entered the race with high expectations. Despite a recent sixth-place finish at the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies (G1) for trainer Bob Baffert and his wife, owner Jill Baffert, she was poised for redemption.
The race began with Cashed, trained by Doug O'Neill, setting a rapid pace, leading through fractions of :23.85 and :46.80. But Bottle of Rouge had other plans, making her move midway through the final turn, leaving Cashed behind. Pashmina and Coffee Connection battled fiercely down the stretch, with Touch of Magic making a daring outside move to secure second place, while Pashmina settled for third.
Here's where the drama intensifies: As Bottle of Rouge surged ahead, she veered right, obstructing Pashmina's path. This led to a stewards' inquiry and an objection from Pashmina's jockey, Cristian Torres. But Juan Hernandez, Bottle of Rouge's jockey, corrected her course, maintaining a straight path to the finish line. The stewards, after a review, upheld the original result.
Bottle of Rouge's impressive performance was timed at 1:35.82 for the mile-long race, rewarding her supporters with a $2.80 win. This triumph marked her ninth Sunland Park Oaks victory for trainer Bob Baffert. The win earned her a substantial 20 points on the Road to the Kentucky Oaks (G1), with the race awarding qualifying points to the top five finishers.
The Kentucky-bred filly, a product of Kathie Maybee's breeding program, descended from the Bluegrass Cat mare Blues Corner. She was auctioned twice, fetching $60,000 as a weanling and $100,000 as a yearling, purchased by Big Sky Racing at Keeneland's September Yearling Sale.
And now, the question that sparks debate: Was Bottle of Rouge's victory a testament to her talent, or did the stewards make the right call in dismissing the objection? Share your thoughts in the comments below! The racing world is buzzing with excitement over this remarkable filly's future.
