Adieu Returns to Form in Delaware Oaks

Adieu returned to the winner's circle for the first time since last fall's Frizette (gr. I) when she collared Amandatude inside the sixteenth pole and cruised to victory in the $500,000 Delaware Oaks (gr. II) for 3-year-old fillies at Delaware Park.

Ridden by John Velazquez for trainer Todd Pletcher, Adieu ended a three-race losing streak in her first try around two turns. She completed the 1 1/6-mile distance in 1:43 3/5 while winning by more than two lengths.

Amandatude, with Jeremy Rose aboard, slipped through along the rail to grab the lead from even-money favorite Hysterical Lady at the top of the stretch and opened up a daylight lead as Hysterical Lady struggled to keep up. But she could not hold off Adieu, who was rated off the pace and made a four-wide move to reach contention coming off the turn. She won going away on under modest urging.

The late running Gasia was several lengths back in third under Mario Pina, with Peak Maria's Way fourth.

The California invader Hysterical Lady, coming off a 7 1/2-length victory in the Hollywood Breeders' Oaks (gr. II), was under a firm hold from jockey Patrick Valenzuela as she broke on even terms with 70-1 shot Peak Maria's Way. She set a contested pace of :23 2/5, :47 3/5 and 1:12 before edging away to a clear advantage on the far turn. She faded in the stretch and finished off the board for trainer Jerry Hollendorfer.

Adieu, a $300,000 Fasig-Tipton buy in February 2005, won four of her first five starts for owners Michael Tabor and Mr. and Mrs. John Magnier, including Saratoga's Spinaway (gr. II) and Belmont's Frizette in back-to-back efforts. She disappointed, however, in the Alberto VO5 Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies (gr. I) three weeks after the Frizette with a seventh-place finish behind Folklore. She had lost both of her starts in 2006, including an even fourth-place finish in the Acorn (gr. I) June 10 at Belmont when 3 3/4 lengths behind the winning Bushfire.

Overall, the bay filly has five wins in nine starts and earnings of $889,934.

The second choice in the field of eight, Adieu paid $7, $4 and $3.40. Amandatude returned $11.40 and $5.60. Gasia was $4.20 to show.

(Chart, Equibase)