Kentucky Bred Menhoubah Wins Italian Oaks

Kentucky bred Menhoubah snapped a nine-race losing streak in a big way Sunday, winning the $649,050 Oaks d'Italia (Ity-1) at San Siro racecourse in Milan.

A daughter of Dixieland Band ridden by Darryll Holland for trainer Clive Brittain, Menhoubah was sold for $90,000 at the 2002 Keeneland September sale.

She won the 1 3/8-mile event by 1 1/4 lengths over Step Danzer. Loriana rallied for third, another 1 3/4 lengths behind.

Rumble Loca was fourth, beating favored Tamarillo, who led in the straight before fading, by three-quarters of a length. The time was 2:15.10 on good going.

Woodlynn Farm and Elliot Horowitz bred Menhoubah, who was produced by the Private Account mare Private Seductress.

After winning her career debut more than a year ago at Newmarket, she had lost nine in a row, including three losses during the winter in Dubai. She was second in her last start, the Cheshire Oaks on May 5 at Chester.

Racing third into the straight, Menhoubah collared Tamarillo, who led briefly approaching the final furlong, and finished with determination.

Brittain, a two-time winner of the Italian Derby (Ity-I), celebrated his first Italian Oaks victory.

Kayak was sixth, followed by Indian Filly (7), Shoko (8), Lotta (9), Oligarchica (10) and Bond Deal (11).