Manistique Is Class of Oaks’ Field

Going into Sunday’s $200,000 Hollywood Oaks, Manistique had run in two races and the rest of the five-horse field had run in 34.

But the towering 3-year-old filly was bigger than everyone else and had a stride that appeared to be twice as long. At the end of 1 1/8 miles, seasoning was not an issue. Manistique was 10 lengths the best, winning her third consecutive race and becoming one of the most lightly raced horses to win the Oaks.

The Oaks was being run for the 53rd time, and the only previous winner off two starts was Heartlight No. One, who was en route to an Eclipse Award in 1983. Heartlight No. One’s Oaks margin was 12 lengths, a record for the stake.

Manistique, a daughter of Unbridled, the 1990 Kentucky Derby winner, and Astaire Step, a Nureyev mare, stands 17 hands (68 inches) and weighs 1,150 pounds.

“She’s something, isn’t she?” said John Shirreffs, who trains Manistique for Marshall Naify’s 505 Farms. “I watched the race over in the grandstand. I was so excited that I couldn’t even make it to the winner’s circle.”

Manistique has won three races by 31 lengths. Because of her extraordinary growth rate, she didn’t make her debut until May 10. She beat maidens that day by 11 lengths, then in early June she stretched out to 1 1/16 miles and won by 10.

Sweet And Ready, winner of the Princess Stakes a month ago, finished second Sunday, 1 1/2 lengths ahead of Yolo Lady. Paying $3.80, favored Manistique earned $120,000, hitting the wire in 1:48 2/5. She was ridden for the first time by Gary Stevens, subbing for Corey Nakatani, who finished 22nd in a celebrity golf tournament in Nevada.

“She’s just a big, fluid-moving filly. and she’s going to win a whole bunch of these [races] because she’s really special,” Stevens said.

Shirreffs indicated that Nakatani would regain the mount, although Manistique’s future is unclear. The Del Mar Oaks is a grass race, and Shirreffs said that he would keep his filly on dirt and possibly send her East for her next start.

Horse Racing Notes

Coronado’s Quest will run next in the Aug. 9 Haskell Handicap after his five-length victory over Ian’s Thunder in the Dwyer Stakes at Belmont Park. The Haskell, at Monmouth Park, may also draw Real Quiet and Victory Gallop. . . . Probables for the Swaps at Hollywood Park on Sunday include Grand Slam, Old Trieste, Old Topper, Shot Of Gold and Lord Smith. . . . Devonwood, second to Chief Bearhart in the Manhattan Handicap at Belmont Park, will ship in for Sunday’s Sunset Handicap.