Stakes Quotes: UAE OAKS (GROUP 3)

OFFICIAL STAKES QUOTES

UAE OAKS (GROUP 3)
$250,000 | 1900m (dirt)

HH Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed Al Maktoum’s Salem bin Ghadayer-trained Down on da Bayou put another notch in the shell of dam Bayou Tortuga, becoming her second foal to win the classic $250,000 UAE Oaks (G3), making all under Mickael Barzalona and finishing up 18½ lengths in front and in a 1900m stakes record time of 1:58.35. The daughter of Super Saver set fractions of 25.68, 49.78, 1:15.02 and 1:39.96, all while sprinting clear of her rivals, including favourite Dubai Love (Pat Cosgrave) and well-regarded Japanese invader Serein. The win was her second from five starts and followed a runner-up effort to the former in the $250,000 UAE 1000 Guineas (G3). Her half-sister Polar River won the race in 2016.

Winner: DOWN ON DA BAYOU
Pedigree: Super Saver – Bayou Tortuga (Empire Maker)
Owner: HH Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed Al Maktoum
Trainer: Salem bin Ghadayer
Jockey: Mickael Barzalona
Official Time: 1:58.35 (New Stakes Record)
Track Record: 1:55.18 – Mendelssohn, 2018
Previous Stakes Record (Meydan Dirt): 1:59.66 – Rayya, 2018
Margin of Victory: 18½ Lengths

Mickael Barzalona, Jockey, DOWN ON DA BAYOU (1st)—“I think she’s improving every run. She’s a very sensitive filly and I think today she really liked the trip. I could ease her into the race. She raced on very well when I asked her to go. She did it very easily and the time was good. I’m happy with that. We know she can be very fast and there’s no point to fight against her. You let her go and it was a good test to see if she could stay today and she did.”

Salem bin Ghadayer, Trainer, DOWN ON DA BAYOU (1st)—“She’s an amazing filly. Before we had the question mark about the distance, but she showed her class. Thank god everything went well. We just wanted a clear run. We knew should get at least nine furlongs, so it was only a question of the final 100m. She made the best for herself. At home, even when she had hard training, she wasn’t getting too tired. She’s an honest filly. It’s an owner’s decision (where she goes next). We entered her in the Saudi Derby and I asked my boss if we should go to this race and he said no problem. The next and last step for her this season I think will be next week (in Saudi Arabia). The short time, but she always recovers quickly. One day after a race, she needs two persons (to lead her). I hope everything goes well and she’ll be fine and sound and in good health.”

Pat Cosgrave, Jockey, DUBAI LOVE (2nd)—“She’s done well, but was no match for the winner today. She didn’t do anything wrong—the winner was just too good. No excuses, was beaten by a better horse today.”

Yutaka Take, Jockey, SEREIN (3rd)—“It was good. She was a little bit excited before the race and in the stall. It was not quiet. It was only a week here (since shipping from Japan). Maybe next time we’ll get it.”

-END-

Photo Credit: Dubai Racing Club | Erika Rasmussen

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