Skylighter, making her stakes debut after a layoff of nearly three months for trainer Bobby Frankel, made her 14-1 odds look like a gift when she charged home to win the $406,400 Indiana Oaks (gr. II) (VIDEO) by three lengths at Hoosier Park Oct. 3.
The daughter of Sky Mesa registered her third consecutive win since breaking her maiden at Belmont Park May 11 thanks to a patient ride by Eddie Castro. Skylighter is owned and bred by Stonerside Stable.
Breaking from the rail in the field of 10 3-year-old fillies going 1 1/16 miles, Skylighter stalked from the inside as Whirlie Bertie set off on a quick clip, going :22 4/5 for the opening quarter mile before settling down to a :47 1/5 half-mile. As the field reached the six-furlong point in 1:12 3/5, Whirlie Bertie was giving way to Shining Image and Dubai Majesty, who had chased the leader in close proximity from the start, while Skylighter moved into contention on the inside.
Shining Image, ridden by Mike Luzzi, edged away from Dubai Majesty and Jamie Theriot in upper stretch, but was no match for Skylighter, who angled out for the run home and proved to be much the best while driving clear late in the middle of the track. Runner-up Shining Image finished 2 1/4 lengths in front of Dubai Majesty. The winning time was 1:44 4/5.
Sky Mom, the 19-10 favorite, tried to rally from far back and wound up fourth, nearly 11 lengths behind the show horse. Grade I winner Golden Doc A, the 5-2 second choice, showed little while finishing sixth.
It took Skylighter six starts to graduate but the bay filly hasn't lost since. After breaking her maiden at Belmont by a neck, she returned July 10 to defeat an optional claiming allowance field by 1 3/4 lengths in her last start. All three of her wins have come at the 1 1/16-mile distance.
Skylighter, out of the Broad Brush mare Painted Lady, earned $231,840 while improving her record to 3-2-2 in eight starts. She has banked $327,240.
The winner paid $30, $15 and $9. topping a $2 exacta worth $173.60. Shining Image, trying a route distance for the first time for trainer John Terranova II, returned $6 and $2.60. Dubai Majesty, trained by Bret Calhoun, was $6.20 to show. The $1 trifecta paid $973.80.
Sky Mom was followed by Pious Ashley, Golden Doc A, Whirlie Bertie, Color Me Up, Hey There Cupcate and Moa Annette. Awesome Moment scratched.
Skylighter draws off in the Indiana Oaks.
