Calamity Kate proved she was up to the task in the $300,000 Delaware Oaks (G3) at Delaware Park on Saturday, with the 3-year-old daughter of Yes It’s True springing a 54-1 upset in the 1 1/16-mile contest for 3-year-old fillies.
Yes It’s True now has 54 lifetime stakes winners, including recently-turned millionaire La Verdad.
With Edgar Prado aboard, Calamity Kate sprung right to the lead, with White Clover right on her flank. After six furlongs in 1:20.92, Calamity Kate pulled away to a three-length lead in mid-stretch, then held on comfortably to win by 1 ¾-lengths and a lifetime-best Beyer Speed Figure of 92.
The final time was 1:41.79 over a fast track which is the fastest time for the Delaware Oaks since the distance was changed to mile and a sixteenth in 1997.
Kentucky-bred Calamity Kate, trained by Kelly John Breen for George and Lori Hall, raised her career record to three wins from eight starts with earnings of $345,868. She placed in the Grade 2 Demoiselle S. as a 2-year-old.
“The horse has been training good and in her last start (the June 6, Grade 1 Acorn at Belmont Park) she got a bad break,” said Breen. “So the last race was probably a throw out and she has been training great for this race. We had a couple of horses nominated and I guess we picked the right one to come here with. I told Edgar just to ride his race, that she is sharp. It was just a matter of being in right spot at that right time.”
Calamity Kate was bred in Kentucky by K&G Stables and is the first foal out of Justmeandmyshadow, who is a half-sister to Grade 1 Champagne S. winner Officer. Calamity Kate in now 3-1-0 in eight starts and has earned $345,868.
