Highland Falls runner-up in G2 Oaklawn Handicap

Highland Falls took another step forward in his burgeoning career with a clear second behind seasoned G1 performer Skippylongstocking in the G2 Oaklawn Handicap on Saturday, 20 April.

Trained by Brad Cox, Highland Falls only made his debut in August and the four-year-old was dropping back in class and trip after taking fourth on his first Graded Stakes appearance in the G1 Santa Anita Handicap in March.

After breaking on terms from stall one, Highland Falls grabbed the inside rail and soon settled in fifth behind County Final, Skippylongstocking, Octane and Reincarnate.

Highland Falls stayed on between Octane and Reincarnate to go third turning in as Skippylongstocking took up the running from County Final and soon took control.

The Godolphin homebred went second at the top of the straight and stuck to his task gamely for Florent Geroux, going down by two lengths to last season’s G1 Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile third. Red Route One flashed home for third, a further three lengths back.