In an exhilarating stretch duel, Energy Squeeze used each ounce of her class to squeeze out a nostril victory over Sidamara within the $300,000 Delaware Oaks (G3) at Delaware Park July 8.
The grade 1-placed Union Rags filly displayed her versatility early as she broke in entrance however was shortly hounded by her opponents. Javier Castellano relaxed her off the tempo as she settled fifth of six coming into the clubhouse flip.
The tempo was gradual as Ringy Dingy set fractions of :24.45, :50.34, and 1:13.32. Sensing the tempo and with favored Sidamara immediately forward of him, Castellano made an early transfer to get into place.
Second on the five-sixteenths pole, Energy Squeeze seemed as if she would possibly flatten out as Ringy Dingy held her benefit and Sidamara made up her misplaced floor on the far exterior.
Emboldened by Sidamara’s problem, Energy Squeeze discovered one other gear, reeled in Ringy Dingy and embraced the struggle to the wire. Sidamara, ridden by Jose Ortiz, drew even inside the ultimate sixteenth however may by no means get her nostril in entrance. Energy Squeeze gained the photograph whereas stopping the clock for 1 1/16 miles in 1:47.65. She paid $4.60.
Regaled closed from final to be third.
Bred by Forging Oaks Farm, Energy Squeeze was a $90,000 buy from the 2023 Ocala Breeders’ Spring Sale of 2-Yr-Olds in Coaching by proprietor Lea Farms, for which she’s now earned $567,450. Educated by Jorge Delgado, Energy Squeeze gained for the fifth time in 9 begins whereas incomes her second graded triumph.