Impressive finish for Antoinette at G2 Fair Grounds Oaks Mile

Three-year-old filly Antoinette gained G2 Black Type on dirt when rallying in the closing stages to take third in the extended-mile Fair Grounds Oaks at Fair Grounds on Saturday.

The Bill Mott-trained daughter of Hard Spun, a Stakes winner at Aqueduct on her previous outing in December, broke smartly and soon raced in third of the six-strong field under Junior Alvarado.

Antoinette was passed by Finite leaving the back straight but travelled strongly behind horses turning for home. She had to delay her challenge at the top of the straight before staying on gamely to regain third near the line and go down by just under four lengths in total to Bonny South.

Godolphin USA President Jimmy Bell said: “Antoinette was a little unlucky. She was well-primed to give a good performance but got bottled up at the top of the stretch and had to hesitate.

“The first and second came from the rear and were able to produce a sustained run, whereas Antoinette had to stop and start again. She ran on gamely and finished well to take third in a very nice race. It was still a very promising effort from a filly who is equally talented on dirt and turf, and she has a lot of possibilities open to her.”

On the same card, three-year-old Mystic Guide (Michael Stidham/Brian Hernandez Jr) recorded a dominant victory on his second career start in a dirt maiden over an extended mile.

The Ghostzapper colt, who is out of five-time G1 heroine Music Note, powered clear in the straight to score by five lengths.

Earlier, Antoinette under Joe Bravo rallied gamely to take the extended-mile Tepin Stakes, which was switched to dirt from turf at Aqueduct on Dec.

Meanwhile, unexposed maiden winner Cerro Bayo steps up to G3 company for the Park Express Stakes over a mile at Naas, Ireland, on Monday.

The four-year-old filly overcame signs of inexperience to post a half-length success for trainer Jim Bolger on her only start in an extended 10-furlong contest at Roscommon in August.

Kevin Manning partners the daughter of Dansili, who is a half-sister to Khawlah, the dam of 2018 Derby victor Masar.

Jim Bolger and Kevin Manning also team up with four-year-old Halimi, who makes his Listed debut in the 10-furlong Devoy Stakes.

The Teofilo colt scored over the course and distance in a handicap in October and was third at Naas on his most recent start in the valuable 14-furlong November Handicap.