Harissa Dominates Sunland Park Oaks - Kentucky Oaks Bound?

March 29, 2010

Every trainer loved the bay Afleet Alex-Dynasty filly at our consignment to the 2008 Keeneland September Yearling Sale. She wasn’t the flashiest yearling in the shed row, but she almost never left the walking ring during two show days, and when the hammer fell Steve Bajer and partners bought her for $95,000. 

Now named Harissa, the sophomore won the $200,000 Sunland Park Oaks Sunday afternoon under jockey Tyler Baze by 3 ½ widening lengths over Hayley’s Halo and Queen Greeley. In her first start on dirt, Harissa prompted the early pace, contested through the stretch to pull even with Hayley’s Halo, and then shook free to finish the mile and 1/16 in 1:42:90 for trainer David Hofmans.

When asked by the El Paso Times if Harissa’s win would make him consider taking the filly to Kentucky for the first Friday in May, Hofmans said,   "Probably, she seems to be a little better on dirt. She seems a little better than on synthetics."
 
"This was really good. This has been a blast," he added.

Jockey Tyler Baze said "I was loaded. I had so much horse. I just had to wait and make my move. She's a really nice filly. Now maybe on to the Kentucky Oaks."

Harissa broke her maiden in her final start at two on Nov 19 at Hollywood Park, and most recently ran second to G3 placed Baffert trained rival Ellafitz after stumbling at the start. Harissa’s career line now stands at 7-2-2-1, $174,520.

Click here to watch the race
Click here to read more about Harissa's win