A year after Rachel Alexandra eased to victory in the G2 Fair Grounds Oaks en route to her 20-and-a-quarter length romp in the Kentucky Oaks; the Darley stallions were once again responsible for the winner of the $300,000 contest with Quiet American filly Quiet Temper just edging Champagne d’Oro (Medaglia d’Oro) in the 2010 renewal.
While Champagne d’Oro was soon in front and set the pace throughout the one-and-one-sixteenth mile contest, Quiet Temper was content to settle in the middle of the field before making her move coming into the stretch. The two fillies then battled terrifically close to home, with Quiet Temper eventually prevailing by half a length.
Both Quiet Temper and Champagne d’Oro will now be aimed at the G1 Kentucky Oaks in five weeks’ time and it is worth noting that four of the past five winners of the Fair Grounds Oaks have gone on to win this prestigious race.
Quiet Temper, also a G3 winner at two, is out of the unraced Silver Deputy mare Dead Aim and is from the family of G1 winner and multiple G1 producer Liberal Member.
Quiet American has sired six Black type performers already this year, including G1 fillies Free Flying Soul and Switch.
Also at Fair Grounds, West Ocean (Elusive Quality) set a new course record of 1:02.73 for five-and-a-half furlongs when winning the Bienville Stakes by an impressive five lengths.
This was her second Stakes win, having taken the Flitalong at three and she has now notched four wins and two seconds in seven starts.
Bred by SyBon Racing Stable LLC, she is out of the multiple Graded Stakes winner Ocean Drive (Belong To Me).
Elusive Quality has now sired no fewer than 11 record breakers, including multiple G1 winner Quality Road (who broke his own track record at Gulfstream Park when winning the G1 Donn earlier this year) and Breeders' Cup Classic winner Raven's Pass.
