Meaning draws post five in Santa Anita Oaks-G2
Photo by Benoit
Eclipse Thoroughbreds Partners’ 3-year-old filly Meaning will line up in the $200,000 Santa Anita Oaks (G2) on Saturday, April 4, with a Kentucky Oaks berth on the line. The daughter of Gun Runner has drawn post 5 in the field of seven and will be ridden in the storied 1 1/16-mile event by jockey Juan Hernandez.
Trained by Michael McCarthy, Meaning enters as one of the horses to beat in Santa Anita’s marquee race for 3-year-old fillies after capturing the Las Virgenes Stakes in her seasonal debut last out. She has trained forwardly since that early February victory, and expectations remain high that the progressive filly will take another step forward this Saturday as she aims toward a potential start in Louisville on May 1.
Meaning zipped five furlongs in :59.20 on March 28—her final move in a series of six works heading into the Santa Anita Oaks.
“Meaning worked by herself with a target about five lengths in front of her to keep her occupied. I thought it was the work we needed going into the Santa Anita Oaks,” McCarthy said.
A 2-year-old winner on debut at Los Alamitos, Meaning competed one month later in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies (G1) at Del Mar, where she acquitted herself well when finishing fourth after overcoming a troubled trip against a more seasoned group of top fillies in North America. That experience provided a strong foundation as she has continued to progress nicely over the winter and into her sophomore campaign.
Best of luck to our Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners and co-owner Bridlewood Farm on Saturday. Believe Big!