Yara on course for Kentucky Oaks

Yara followed her Davona Dale triumph with a start in the Gulfstream Oaks,

where the daughter of Put It Back dueled on the lead and was still forwardly

placed through the final turn before backing up down the lane to finish fifth.

"The fractions were extremely fast that day," Garoffalo explained. "She ran

three-quarters in 1:10. When you compare that with the boys one race later (in

the Grade 1 Florida Derby), they went (three-quarters) in 1:12, so clearly she

was going fast.

"I don't think we were ever beating the winner (Grace Hall) that day, but if

she could have slowed things down just a bit early, I think we realistically

could have finished second. But the most important thing is that she came out of

the race good, she's training normally, there are no issues, and we're looking

forward to Kentucky."

Garoffalo also has three horses nominated to the $150,000 Calder Derby, to be

run on April 14.

"Right now, Late Night Action is likely for that race," Garoffalo said. "He

was just third in a very tough race at Gulfstream where he was beaten only a

length by a couple of nice horses (fellow Calder Derby nominees Easy Crossing

and Argentine Tango), so he's our best Calder Derby candidate."

Owned by Rontos Racing Stable Corp., Late Night Action was claimed from

Starlight Racing and trainer Todd Pletcher for $75,000 out of a February 18

maiden-breaking win.