Beach Haven Thoroughbreds' Maracuja (Honor Code) remains on target for next weekend's GI Alabama S. Aug. 21 at Saratoga. The GI Coaching Club American Oaks S. winner covered a half-mile breeze in :47.67 last Sunday while in company on the main track in her first work back since upsetting favored Malathaat (Curlin) in the nine-furlong CCA Oaks July 24.
“She went a little quicker than I thought, visually,” trainer Rob Atras. “She broke off a little quick and was rolling along and galloped out real nice. I never get too concerned about the time, but she did it well within herself. That's all that matters to me.”
A $200,000 Fasig-Tipton Saratoga Select Yearling Sale graduate, Maracuja won at third asking in a 6 1/2-furlong maiden sprint in February at Aqueduct and followed with a closing second in the GIII Gazelle S. in April, finishing 2 3/4-lengths back of Search Results. Maracuja finished seventh in the GI Kentucky Oaks in April at Churchill Downs.
“She broke so sharp in the last race and we were hoping for that,” Atras said. “We were hoping she could be a little more tactical. That would definitely be an advantage to her going forward.
“I knew you could throw the Oaks out and she was capable of better,” Atras added. “I thought if she took a step forward from the Gazelle she could be a contender, if not for the win, then for second. She definitely took a big step forward last time. Right out of the gate, she showed that she was live that day.”
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