Multiple Grade I-placed Quietside (Malibu Moon) will be targeted to make her sophomore debut in the Jan. 25 Martha Washington Stakes at Oaklawn Park, trainer John Ortiz confirmed Sunday. The Shortleaf Stable homebred, tabbed a 'TDN Rising Star' following her 6 1/4-length debut win at Saratoga in August, was second behind expected 2-year-old filly champion Immersive (Nyquist) in the GI Spinaway Stakes and was third behind that foe while making her two-turn debut in the GI Darley Alcibiades Stakes. She was most recently seen finishing second in the GII Golden Rod Stakes.
“Quietside is doing fantastic,” Ortiz said. “She came back out of [the Golden Rod] in great shape. Looking a little bit more tight and fit. She's really developing into her 3-year-old body. So, we're excited about it.”
Quietside worked four furlongs in :48.60 (8/132) at Oaklawn Park Saturday.
The Martha Washington will offer 42 total points (20-10-6-4-2) to the top five finishers toward starting eligibility for the GI Kentucky Oaks. Quietside, based on her finishes in the Alcibiades and Golden Rod, has already collected eight points.
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