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Baghdaria rolls in Indiana Oaks Clinton and Susan Atkins' BAGHDARIA (Royal Academy) rallied through traffic on the far turn and asserted herself in the stretch drive of Friday night's $402,800 Indiana Breeders' Cup Oaks (G3). The Tom Amoss-trained sophomore filly grabbed the lead in midstretch and drew off convincingly under Rafael Bejarano, notching her third graded stakes victory this year with a four-length decision. "This race tonight really gives us something to look forward to in the future," Amoss said. "She's a really nice filly and I appreciate the opportunity to get to ride her again," Bejarano added. "I knew once she got in the straightaway, she'd be flying, and she did." Coolwind (Forest Wildcat) showed speed after the break and led the way with early splits in :23 and :46 3/5 as Baghdaria rated in midpack. Peak Maria's Way (Pyramid Peak) stuck her head in front through six furlongs in 1:11, but her advantage was short-lived as Cryptoquip (Cryptoclearance) rallied to the lead in upper stretch, getting the mile in 1:37. Baghdaria followed Cryptoquip around the bend and blew past her rival in the straightaway, completing 1 1/16 miles over Hoosier Park's fast track in 1:43 3/5. Sent off the near 4-1 second favorite, the winner returned $9.80, $5.20 and $3.80. Cryptoquip easily held second at 9-2 odds and gave back $5.60 and $4.80. It was 2 1/4 lengths back to 26-1 longshot Southern Flu (Dixie Union), who was good for $8.60. The exacta paid $53.80, the trifecta $552.40 and the 1-6-2-9 superfecta, with Wild Fit (Wild Wonder) in the fourth slot, totaled $4,797.60. Peak Maria's Way, 2-1 favorite Ermine (Exchange Rate), Coolwind and Maggie Slew (Seattle Slew) rounded out the order of finish. Political Web (Petionville) and Miraculous Miss (Mr. Greeley) were both withdrawn. Bred in Kentucky by Bentley Smith, Baghdaria was purchased for $52,000 as a yearling at the 2004 Keeneland September sale and hails from the stakes-placed Oatsee (Unbridled), who is also the dam of the yearling filly Haysee (Orientate) and a 2006 filly by Langfuhr. Baghdaria captured the Silverbulletday S. (G3) and Iowa Oaks (G3) and placed in the Black-Eyed Susan S. (G2) earlier this season. She's now earned $597,066 from an 11-5-0-3 career line.
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