Sunny Outlook for this Three Year Old

Just when you think you might be figuring this stuff out, you have a filly like Sunshaft that brings you back down to earth. It was that way in the Florida Panhandle Oaks today where we watched the Grade III 3 year old Filly stakes on turf at one mile and a sixteenth.

Coming into this race I had mentioned that Sunshaft and trainer MrBigB had a few things to straighten out. Well they made it straight as an arrow as the Mineshaft offspring came from third at the top of the stretch and moved outside Pleaserememberme and caught Horse of the Year candidate Jaca short of the wire. Her 95 speed figure is one of the very best in this young season for three year old turf fillies and she sent the message that she is a horse to be reckoned with in 2006. Jockey Barrett was masterful in riding his first winner for the year and he guided Sunshaft to a perfect ride.

Everyone’s pre-race favorite, Cosmo Girl ran a disappointing race, starting way back and never getting to within 2 ¼ of the leader though she did hang on for third. Jaca finished second but faded at the end and has asked some of her own questions her past couple of races.

Things are looking sunny for Sunshaft and her trainer and now he needs to figure out which way to point her for this race season.