Claret Beret, Mad House register upsets at Oaklawn

Jockey Micah Husbands felt he had a lot of horse underneath him when he asked Claret Beret to go on the far turn in Saturday's $1.25 million Apple Blossom H. (G1) at Oaklawn Park.

"I was loaded by the three-eighths," said Husbands, who had the five-year-old Not This Time mare perched three-wide in the run down the backside.

After taking a quick peek to his left and right, presumably to see where 4-5 favorite Nitrogen was positioned, Husbands gave Claret Beret her cue. Surging ahead of Blue Fire and Five G, Claret Beret made the front approaching the quarter pole.

Turning for home, Claret Beret had only Nitrogen, last year's champion three-year-old filly, left to fend off. This she did quite easily as she built her lead to a commanding 4 1/2-length margin at the finish. Nitrogen, who has dropped four of her past five starts, was 3 3/4 lengths clear of Azeri (G2) winner Majestic Oops in the field of nine fillies and mares.

Claret Beret covered 1 1/16 miles on a fast track in 1:43.93. Owned by Miller Racing and trained by Saffie Joseph, Claret Beret paid $19.60.

In winning the Apple Blossom, Claret Beret secured an automatic bid to the Breeders' Cup Distaff (G1) at Keeneland in October as part of the Breeders' Cup Challenge series. 

Claret Beret has now won seven of 19 career starts, but has really hit her stride since connections began focusing on two-turn races on dirt. Her record is now 3-for-4 in such races, including a five-length decision in the Feb. 14 Royal Delta (G3) at Gulfstream Park in her start prior to the Apple Blossom.

After an upset victory last September in the Gallant Bob (G2) at Parx, Mad House was tried in the Breeders' Cup Sprint (G1). That was biting off more than he could chew at the time, but the last-of-14 finish was not indicative of his quality.

Bypassing an easier spot against Florida-breds at Tampa Bay Downs last weekend, Mad House was instead shipped to Oaklawn for the $500,000 Count Fleet Sprint H. (G3).

"We thought we'd try something bigger," trainer David Van Winkle said.

Although dismissed at 9-1, Mad House and connections were well rewarded for their risk. Pressured throughout by 2-1 favorite Roll On Big Joe, Mad House eventually repelled that rival in the final sixteenth to win the six-furlong Count Fleet Sprint by a head.

"When he's on the lead he's tough to outrun," Van Winkle said.

Mad House returned $20.20 after covering the course in 1:08.93. Roll On Big Joe was comfortably second, 2 1/4 lengths ahead of Dreaminblue, who was 2 3/4 length ahead of 2025 Count Fleet Sprint winner Booth.

A four-year-old gelded son of Vekoma, Mad House races for James Thares and has now won six of 12 starts.