Deloraine closes for third in G3 Florida Oaks

Deloraine picked up some valuable G3 Black Type on turf with a staying-on third in the Florida Oaks at Tampa Bay Downs, USA, on Saturday, 8 March.

The Eoin Harty-trained filly, who had filled the same position on dirt in February’s Suncoast Stakes, broke alertly from her low draw and disputed fifth on the inside of Brillante and Celtic Motif.

Lush Lips made the running and appeared to have most of her 10 rivals in trouble when kicking for home at the top of the straight.

Jesus Castanon switched Deloraine wide approaching the final furlong and the Candy Ride homebred closed strongly, taking third from Opulent Restraint in the final strides.

Nitrogen reeled in Lush Lips close home to score by half a length, with a further four lengths back to Deloraine in the extended-mile contest.