Baffert Filly Wins the Oaks

Trainer Bob Baffert made it a clean sweep of the weekend’s Grade I races for 3-year-old fillies.

A day after Silverbulletday triumphed in the Alabama at Saratoga, Tout Charmant, the lesser regarded of Baffert’s two entrants in the $250,000 Del Mar Oaks, scored a $21.60 upset, and then survived a stewards’ inquiry Sunday.

As has become almost the norm here when Baffert sends out two horses, the longer price was the winner as Excellent Meeting, the 2-1 favorite in her turf debut, finished ninth in the field of 10.

Owned and bred by Mr. and Mrs. Robert Walter, Tout Charmant was never far off the slow pace under jockey David Flores, got the lead approaching the stretch and went on to beat Smooth Player--a 14-1 shot coupled with Sweet Life--by a length in 1:48 3/5 for the 1 1/8 miles.

It was the second victory in three starts on grass for the daughter of Slewvescent, and both have come at this meet. Three weeks ago she won easily in a restricted stakes.

Smooth Player, who had upset Excellent Meeting in the Hollywood Oaks last month, finished nearly two lengths ahead of Sweet Ludy, who was bumped in traffic at the top of the stretch, leading to the inquiry. However, the stewards ruled Tout Charmant wasn’t to blame and Sweet Ludy was simply victimized by poor racing luck.

“This filly has been improving, getting better and better and better and it was her turn,” said Baffert after his fourth stakes victory of the meet. “I’m disappointed for Excellent Meeting. [Owner John] Mabee didn’t really want me to run her [on turf], but there’s nowhere else to run around here, so we had to take a shot. As long as she comes out no worse for wear, then they’re OK.”

Colorado Song finished fourth in the Oaks, then came Sweet Life, Mumtaz, Camargo, Caffe Latte, Excellent Meeting and Keemoon.

Horse Racing Notes

No one won the Pick Six for a second consecutive day, so there is a carry-over of $825,571 for today. . . . Rebounding from a poor effort in the San Diego Handicap, Budroyale out-finished Mike K to win the $250,000 Longacres Mile at Emerald Downs in Auburn, Wash. Garrett Gomez rode the winner for trainer Ted West and owner Jeffrey Sengara. Classic Cat, the 4-5 favorite, finished last in the field of eight. Budroyale paid $9.20 and won in 1:34 3/5. . . . Furlough took advantage of a fast early pace and got up in the final stride to beat 12-1 shot Bourbon Belle in the $200,000 Ballerina Handicap at Saratoga. Furlough paid $16.40 and covered seven furlongs in 1:23. Catinca, the 8-5 favorite, was third.