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Further US targets identified for Aspen Grove

3 minute read

Belmont Oaks winner Aspen Grove will remain in the US and target further Group success in either the Del Mar Oaks or the Saratoga Oaks.

ASPEN GROVE. Picture: Healy Racing

The Fozzy Stack-trained three-year-old has been under the care of jockey Mark Enright during her Stateside trip, who rode her to victory in the Group 3 Newtownanner Stud Irish EBF Stakes in 2022.

The three-year-old filly was the only international contender in the Grade 1 Belmont Oaks Invitational Stakes at Belmont Park on Saturday evening and she out-ran all expectations when recording a three-quarter length victory over Chad Brown's Prerequisite. Jockey Oisin Murphy struggled to get a clear run at the two-furlong marker but flew home once finding a gap to win in comfortable style.

The victory marked a first Grade 1 success for Fozzy Stack, who has enjoyed mixed fortunes with the daughter of Justify.

"She was very good. She ran last time in the Guineas when she was in season and she's hopeless when she's in season," said Stack.

"She was hopeless in her work at home but you can't run again in the Guineas next year, so we thought we'd just roll the dice.

"She did it well last night and Oisin gave her a great ride.

"I was never worried about the trip, I always thought she'd get it. As a two-year-old I thought she was more a 10-furlong filly, she did it well.

"Either the Del Mar Oaks or the Saratoga Oaks [will be her next run].

"I'll leave Mark Enright out with her, he'll look after her. He's won Group races on her and done a great job with her over the last few days.

 "You need everything to go right for these things to happen, all the parts need to fall into place and they did."