5/3/13 - Princess of Sylmar Reigns Supreme in Kentucky Oaks

Multiple stakes winner PRINCESS OF SYLMAR (Majestic Warrior) ascended to the highest level of racing on May 3 with an exciting late run to win the 139rd Kentucky Oaks (G1). With the second-largest Oaks day crowd on hand to watch, the chestnut great-granddaughter of Seattle Slew finished a half-length in front of a talented field of nine other sophomore fillies to earn the honor of wearing the blanket of lilies at Churchill Downs.

The ladies started the race poorly, with Rose to Gold (Friends Lake) breaking in sharply from her near outside position. Favored Dreaming of Julia (A.P. Indy) absorbed the worst of the impact, while Princess of Sylmar was also squeezed back on both sides in the rough start for half the field. Once the fillies sorted themselves out, Princess of Sylmar was running easily in ninth behind Dreaming of Julia as they raced in front of the stands for the first time.

Jockey Mike Smith kept Princess of Sylmar settled and relaxed near the back as the field rounded the turn and moved onto the backstretch. Once on the long straightaway, the filly began slowly advancing and moved into contention as she neared the far turn. Racing four-wide, the eventual winner had three opponents still in front of her as she swept into the stretch, but she had found her best stride. Running better than every other filly down the lane, Princess of Sylmar gained on her competition with each stride and took the lead from last year's champion two-year-old filly with a sixteenth-mile to go. Sailing toward the finish line, Princess of Sylmar extended her lead for a solid advantage at the wire and stopped the clock in 1:49 for 1 1/8 miles around the fast main oval.

Dreaming of Julia finished fourth after her rough run.

The winner's share of the $1 million purse sent Princess of Sylmar's earnings skyrocketing to more than $825,000. After missing the board in her debut, she had been nearly unstoppable, putting together four straight victories. The last two of those came in the Jan. 5 Busanda Stakes and the Feb. 2 Busher Stakes, both at distances more than a mile over Aqueduct's inner track. Facing graded company in her next start, Princess of Sylmar finished second in the April 6 Gazelle Stakes (G2). After her Oaks victory, the filly now boasts five wins and a runner-up finish from seven starts.

"I've always wanted to take our time with her, keep her happy, and keep her calm," said breeder Ed Stanco. "After (the Gazelle) we gave her a little time and worked her out. And she did just great; she's just come along."

After the race, Mike Smith said, "It was extremely rough leaving there. We got banged around pretty good, but she settled right into stride. After that, I just rode her like Todd had told me to, to be honest with you. They thought they had moved a little early last time out and to really be patient. And when you think it's time to move, maybe even be a little more patient. It really worked out great."

Foaled in Pennsylvania, Princess of Sylmar is from the first crop of Majestic Warrior (A.P. Indy), who won the 2007 Hopeful Stakes (G1), and is her sire's first Grade 1 winner. The eight-year-old stallion is out of multiple Grade 1 winner Dream Supreme (Seeking the Gold) and is a full brother to stakes winner Crystal Current. The Oaks winner, who is the first horse bred by Stanco, is the first foal produced from the stakes-placed winner Storm Dixie (Catienus), who was also the first racehorse for the King of Prussia Stable partnership.

The Slew Crew is thrilled for Princess of Sylmar, breeder Ed Stanco — who races the filly in the name of his King of Prussia Stable — trainer Todd Pletcher, jockey Mike Smith and the rest of her connections. Congratulations and we wish you continued success.


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