Photo:
Oaklawn / Coady Media
Majestic Oops will likely remain around one turn for her next start following a dominating performance in Friday’s $150,000 American Beauty Stakes for older female sprinters, trainer Dan Ward said Sunday morning.
Ward said he targets the $250,000 Matron Stakes on March 27 at Oaklawn for Majestic Oops, who rolled to a 3 1/4-length victory in the American Beauty under Francisco Arrieta. The Matron, like the American Beauty, covers six furlongs.
“Since I’ve had her, I’ve sprinted her three times,” Ward said. “She was second first time out and then she was third in Ballerina and she won. I think they (owners) want to go for the Matron because when she routed, there were a couple of times last year that she went too fast the first part and didn’t finish. But sprinting, you just run.”
Majestic Oops received a preliminary Beyer Speed Figure of 92 from Daily Racing Form for the American Beauty, her third career stakes victory. She made her first start since finishing ninth in the Breeders’ Cup Distaff at 1 1/8 miles Nov. 1 at Del Mar.
Majestic Oops won two races last season at Oaklawn – an entry-level allowance at 1 1/16 miles and the $200,000 Dig A Diamond Stakes at one mile. Both races came in April. Majestic Oops also won the Lady Secret’s Stakes at 1 1/16 miles in June at Monmouth Park.
Ward trains Majestic Oops for Medallion Racing, Evan Trommer, Agave Racing Stable and Sheila Regan. Ward said Majestic Oops may receive a nomination to the Azeri Stakes (G2), worth $400,000 at 1 1/16 miles on March 7 at Oaklawn, but the Matron fits better in terms of spacing.
“It’s good spacing,” Ward said. “It’s six weeks.”
Majestic Oops, a 6-year-old California-bred daughter of Majestic Harbor, has a 34: 8-11-4 record with earnings of $724,309.
