Regally Bred Traditionally Earns First Stakes Win in Oaklawn Handicap

Ogden Phipps' 4-year-old homebred Traditionally earned his first stakes win Saturday, upsetting 6-5 favorite Wooden Phone and Sir Bear in the $600,000 Oaklawn Handicap (gr. I) at Oaklawn Park. Mr Ross finished second, 5 1/4 lengths behind the winner. Wooden Phone came home third, followed by Graeme Hall, Sir Bear, Fan the Flame, and Maysville Slew.

The win marks the third in four starts on the year for the regally bred Traditionally, a son of leading sire Mr. Prospector and broodmare of the year and champion Personal Ensign. Prior to Saturday's stakes win, he won an optional claiming race and an allowance race at Gulfstream Park. The win is the fifth in 15 starts for the Claude "Shug" McGaughey trainee, who was ridden to victory by Pat Day. He earned $360,000 for the win.

Traditionally stayed about four lengths behind a fast early pace (half-mile in :45.54) -- set alternately by Wooden Phone and Fan the Flame -- before commencing a rally which swept him to a 3 1/2 length lead after a mile run in 1:35.42. Traditionally completed the 1 1/8 miles in 1:48.15 on a fast track.

Traditionally returned $9.40, $4.40, and $3.20. Mr Ross paid $6.40 and $3.20. Wooden Phone was worth $2.40 to show. The winning exacta combination paid $72. (Chart, Equibase)