WILMINGTON, DE – Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners and Madaket Stables’ Fondly delivered a commanding performance at Delaware Park on Saturday, leading at every point of call to secure a decisive victory in the $300,000 Grade 3 Delaware Oaks. The daughter of Upstart, perfectly rated by jockey Irad Ortiz Jr., demonstrated both speed and stamina to fend off all challengers in the prestigious one-and-one-sixteenth-mile event.
Breaking alertly from post position seven in a field of nine three-year-old fillies, Fondly was sent straight to the lead. Despite a slight bobble at the start, she quickly recovered to establish a comfortable one-length advantage, clicking through the opening quarter-mile in a solid :23.53 and the half in :49.64 on a fast main track.
As the field rounded the far turn, Paris Lily, under Joel Rosario, made a bid to challenge the front-runner, but Fondly found another gear. Under confident handling from Ortiz Jr., she repelled the threat and began to open up on the field at the top of the stretch.
“The plan was to be forward,” said Ortiz Jr. after the race. “She broke sharp, and I was able to get to the lead and she relaxed so well for me. When I asked her, she really responded. She’s a very nice filly.”
Down the lane, Fondly remained resolute, crossing the wire three lengths in front, stopping the clock at 1:45.61. The victory marked her first graded stakes win and solidified her status as a top contender in the division.
While Fondly controlled the race from the front, Margie’s Intention, the 5-2 favorite trained by Brad Cox, launched a determined late rally from the back of the pack. After trailing the field early, she swung eight-wide into the stretch and closed willingly under jockey Luan Machado to secure the runner-up position. Kinzie Queen, who saved ground for much of the race, finished gamely to take third.
The victory was a testament to the patient handling by trainer H. Graham Motion, who has expertly guided the Kentucky-bred filly’s development. “She has always shown a lot of ability,” Motion commented. “Today, she put it all together. Irad gave her a perfect ride, and she showed a lot of heart to hold everyone off.”
The win was the third in six career starts for Fondly, boosting her lifetime earnings to over $250,000. She returned $9.80 for a $2 win ticket.
Scratched Horse(s): none
Fractional Times: 23.53, 49.64, 1:14.66, 1:39.42
Final Time: 1:45.61
Winning Connections
Winner: Fondly
Jockey: Irad Ortiz, Jr.
Trainer: H. Graham Motion
Owner: Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners and Madaket Stables LLC
Breeder: Brereton C. Jones
Bloodline: Bay Filly, by Upstart out of Lifetime Memory, by Istan. Foaled May 21, 2022 in Kentucky. Stallion Info: Upstart stands at Airdrie Stud in Midway, KY.
Payouts
1st – (7) Fondly – Win: $9.80 | Place: $5.00 | Show: $3.60
2nd – (4) Margie’s Intention – Place: $3.60 | Show: $2.40
3rd – (1) Kinzie Queen – Show: $2.80
Exotics: $1.00 Exacta (7-4) Paid: $20.30 | $0.50 Trifecta (7-4-1) Paid: $31.85 | $0.10 Superfecta (7-4-1-5) Paid: $20.70
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