Carson Bay took the lead heading into the clubhouse turn and never looked back on her way to posting a five-and-a-half length victory in the Minnesota Oaks at Canterbury Park on August 9.
The one-mile and seventy-yard contest marked the first Stakes victory for the three-year-old Midshipman filly, who improved her record to 5-1-1 in 15 career starts.
A field of six went to the post in the Minnesota Oaks and the word was out beforehand as Carson Bay was sent off as the heavy betting favorite. The bay filly didn’t disappoint her fans, as she broke sharply and vied for the lead between Wildcat Minny and Mary B’s Legacy (Frosted) heading into the clubhouse turn.
Carson Bay had shaken free of that pair as the field entered the backstretch, and the race was just a formality after that, as she galloped handily down the backstretch while leading by two to three lengths. Carson Bay hit another gear as she entered the far turn, and began to widen her lead in the stretch, eventually winning by five-and-a-half lengths over Vintage Port. Wildcat Minny finished third.
Bred in Minnesota by J & K Farm LLC, Carson Bay is out of the multiple Stakes-placed mare, Karakorum Fugitive (by Ten Most Wanted). In addition to Carson Bay, Karakorum Fugitive is the dam of Stakes winner Fielder and is a full sister to Stakes winner Lady On the Run and a half sister to multiple Stakes winner, Mr. Windjammer.
Carson Bay is one of a slew of recent Stakes winners for her sire, Midshipman, joining Gerrards Cross (Colleen Stakes), Surface to Air (G3 Monmouth Cup) and Kontiki (Tah Dah Stakes). In addition to that group, Midshipman is also the sire of Navy Seal, winner of the Nodouble Breeders’ Stakes at Oaklawn Park, three-time Stakes winner One Last Chance, and three Chilean G1 winners this year: Lucky Red (G1 El Derby), The Goat (G1 Dos Mil Guineas, G1 St. Leger), and Cassis Violeta (G1 Las Oaks).
