The victory was the third in four career starts for Silent Sighs, who is trained by Julio Canani. The winner's purse of $137,500 improved the filly's bankroll to $226,700. (Chart, Equibase)
Mr. and Mrs. Martin J. Wygod's homebred Silent Sighs took advantage of the fast pace set by Wacky Patty, catching the pacesetter in the final strides in winning the $250,000 Ocala Stud Oaks that was part of the Sunshine Millions Day card at Gulfstream Park.A California-bred 3-year-old daughter of Benchmark--Quiet Romance (by Bertrando) ridden by David Flores, Silent Sighs bumped with Dixie High at the break before being settled into third, comfortably behind Wacky Patty and Usual Manner as the two front-runners set early fractions of :21.78, :44.71, and :57.40 for the first five-eighths of a mile. Boxed in at the eighth pole, Silent Sighs was taken to the outside by Flores and surged past the leaders for a neck victory in final time of 1:10.82 for six furlongs.The winner, sent off at 1-5 odds, paid $2.40, $2.10, $2.10. Wacky Patty held second, to pay $2.40 and $2.10, with Dixie High closing late to get third and pay $2.10. They were followed by Usual Manner, Remembrances, and Potion.