Three Chimneys Farm’s brilliant filly Guarana proved she could handle nine furlongs with a front-running score in the $500,000 Coaching Club American Oaks (G1) Saturday afternoon at Saratoga.
The 3-year-old homebred is now undefeated in three starts, including the Acorn S. (G1) and has earned $697,400.
There were questions the daughter of Ghostzapper could go two turns going into the Oaks, but Guarana put them to rest by setting a moderate pace, then responding when asked by Jose Ortiz to hold off Point of Honor by a length in 1:49.65 on the fast main track.
“She handled a mile and an eighth well,” said winning trainer Chad Brown. “I thought she got a really good ride from Jose. Nice, comfortable fractions and had enough to get to the wire. The runner-up ran terrific as well. It was a good horse race. I think she got a little lonely out there towards the wire, but like Jose indicated to me, she was starting to get a little tired. I’ll talk to Mr. Torrealba and his team about what’s next.”
Guarana is out of Magical World and is a half-sister to the 2-year-old filly Magic Dance, undefeated winner of Churchill Downs’ Debutante S., and like Guarana, is a Three Chimneys homebred.
