Saratoga Springs was witness to a remarkable comeback by Wet Paint, who overcame a setback at the start to emerge victorious in the 107th edition of the Grade I Coaching Club American Oaks, a race with a $500,000 purse. Guided by jockey Flavian Prat, the three-year-old filly triumphed over just four competitors in this prestigious event.
At the start, Southlawn stumbled badly, causing a collision with Wet Paint and delaying her stride. Nonetheless, Wet Paint persevered, remaining at the back of the pack throughout the one-mile and furlong contest. It wasn’t until they reached the far turn, only 3/8ths away from the finish line, that Prat urged Wet Paint to pick up the pace. Making a slight move on the turn, they entered the home stretch in second place, trailing Sacred Wish by four lengths.
Prat exerted great effort, bringing Wet Paint neck-and-neck with Sacred Wish in the final sixteenth of the race. In an impressive display of skill, Wet Paint crossed the finish line victorious, winning by a narrow margin. Manny Franco rode Sacred Wish into second place, while Irad Ortiz, Jr., aboard Gambling Girl, finished a distant 8 1/2 lengths behind. She’s Lookin Lucky and Southlawn completed the order of finish.
This triumph marked Wet Paint’s fifth win in her nine career starts and her first victory in a Grade I race. Previously, she had achieved a second-place finish at Ellis Park and a fourth-place finish at Churchill Downs in Grade I events. With the $275,000 prize money earned from this race, Wet Paint’s total earnings now exceed one million dollars.
Despite being the second choice in the betting at odds of 7-5, Wet Paint proved her worth to the bettors, as those who backed her collected $4.90 for a win, $3 for a place, and the minimum $2.10 for a show. Sacred Wish, an underdog at 10-1 odds, rewarded her supporters with payouts of $5.90 for a place and $2.80 for a show. Gambling Girl, the favored horse at 6-5 odds, paid $2.10.
Kentucky-based trainer Brad Cox shared his instructions to Prat, emphasizing the need to allow Wet Paint to find her way and avoid trouble during the race. Cox revealed that he believed Wet Paint had secured the victory just inside the sixteenth pole. He acknowledged the talent of Sacred Wish, the frontrunner at the turn, but credited Wet Paint’s forward momentum for the win.
Looking ahead, Cox hinted at Wet Paint’s participation in the mile-and-quarter $600,000 Grade I Alabama Stakes on August 19. He expressed confidence in Wet Paint’s ability to handle the distance based on her running style and praised her fondness for Saratoga Race Course.
In conclusion, Wet Paint’s triumph at the Coaching Club American Oaks was a testament to her resilience and determination. With a remarkable recovery from a challenging start, she emerged victorious, leaving no doubt about her potential for future success.
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