In a display of pure grit and determination, Sublime Stables and Janet Kropp’s Majestic Oops handled a sloppy main track and a star-studded field with authority, pulling off a 2-1 upset in the $100,000 Lady’s Secret Stakes at Monmouth Park on Saturday.
Breaking sharply under jockey Isaac Castillo, the five-year-old mare immediately engaged in a spirited duel for the lead with Dream Concert. The pair raced heads apart down the backstretch, carving out determined fractions of 24.02 for the quarter-mile and 47.56 for the half.
As they rounded the far turn, it was clear Majestic Oops had more to give. Responding to Castillo’s cues, the Dan Ward-trained mare put away a tiring Dream Concert and opened a commanding lead at the top of the stretch.
Meanwhile, 0.70-1 favorite Occult, who had been saving ground, launched her bid under Flavien Prat. Despite a game rally down the center of the track, Occult was no match for the winner, who kicked clear with power and precision.
Majestic Oops hit the wire 4 ¼ lengths in front, stopping the clock for the one and one-sixteenth miles in 1:44.32. The victory earned her the stakes title and granted her a free entry into the Grade 3 Molly Pitcher Stakes on Haskell Day, July 19.
“She broke well, and I saw the other horse wanted the lead, but my mare was comfortable,” said a triumphant Castillo after the race. “She was strong the whole way. When we got to the turn, I asked her, and she just went on. She loved the track today. She was very impressive.”
The win marks the second consecutive victory for Majestic Oops, who entered the Lady’s Secret off a win at Oaklawn Park in April.
The Chad Brown-trained Occult, a Grade 1-placed filly, had to settle for second. Her stablemate, Catherine Wheel, who stalked the pace throughout, finished third. Gold Strategy and Dream Concert completed the order of finish.
The victory was a testament to the mare’s toughness and the masterful preparation by trainer Dan Ward, who had her primed for a peak performance. It was a sweet victory for her owners that set the stage for a promising summer campaign.
Scratched Horse(s): Gun Song (Trainer), Into Amore (Trainer)
Fractional Times: 24.02, 47.56, 1:12.29
Final Time: 1:44.32
Winning Connections
Winner: Majestic Oops
Jockey: Isaac Castillo
Trainer: Dan Ward
Owner: Sublime Stables, Inc. and Janet Kropp
Breeder: William Dory, Sandy Dory, Gary Kropp & Janet Kropp
Bloodline: Bay Mare, by Majestic Harbor out of Miss Oops, by Olmodavor. Foaled Mar 12, 2020 in California.
Stallion Info: Majestic Harbor stood at Harris Farms in Coalinga, CA, until his sudden passing on April 6, 2022.
Payouts
1st – (7) Majestic Oops – Win: $6.60, Place: $2.60, Show: $2.10
2nd – (1) Occult – Place: $2.40, Show: $2.10
3rd – (3) Catherine Wheel – Show: $2.10
Exotics: $1.00 Exacta (7-1) Paid: $7.20 | $0.50 Trifecta (7-1-3) Paid: $5.90
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