Coaching Club American Oaks (Grade 1)

ONLY five fillies went to post for the Grade 1 Coaching Club American Oaks, the Saratoga opening weekend feature.

It was the Bill Mott-trained Paris Lights, a three-year-old filly by Curlin, who just got the better of the Bob Baffert-trained Crystal Ball, as the favourite Tonalist’s Shape was too keen in first-time blinkers and failed to settle.

Crystal Ball held a narrow lead over Paris Lights before being worn down over the final furlong. Paris Lights won by a head in 1m 50.81 on a fast track.

The Winstar Stablemates Racing syndicate owns both fillies.

“My filly just kept digging in. The other filly was a little stubborn to get by, but my filly is all class,” said winning rider Tyler Gaffalione, winning his first Grade 1 win at Saratoga.

“She broke her maiden and we were able to get another allowance race in her for experience and build on that experience a bit and on her confidence level. It paid off today,” said Mott.

Mott was getting a measure of revenge on Baffert after losing a memorable battle in the 2017 CCA Oaks when his filly Elate was beaten a head by the Baffert-trained Abel Tasman.

Tonalist’s Shape was the only graded winner in the race and was steadied entering the first turn and, as noted,was too keen, tiring to be a well-beaten fourth.

Points

Paris Lights earned 100 points toward the Longines Kentucky Oaks on September 4th race at Churchill Downs, though she is not yet nominated.

The Grade 1 Alabama Stakes on August 15th, the final Kentucky Oaks qualifier, is likely to be her next start.

The other graded race on the card, the Grade 2 National Museum Of Racing Hall Of Fame Stakes over nine furlongs on turf went to the Christophe Clement-trained Decorated Invader.

The three-year-old is a son of Declaration Of War and was making it three wins in a row this season.