For a 3-year-old to win a race like the Kentucky Derby (G1) or Kentucky Oaks (G1), it needs to be an improving, maturing runner as May approaches.
Shortleaf Stable's Quietside checks both of those boxes.
After placing in her first four tries in stakes company, the homebred daughter of Malibu Moon took another huge step forward for trainer John Ortiz as she prevailed by three-quarters of a length after a prolonged duel with the previously unbeaten Simply Joking to capture the $750,000 Fantasy Stakes (G2) for 3-year-old fillies at Oaklawn Park in her final prep for the Kentucky Oaks.
"That was a battle. It was exciting," Ortiz said March 29 after Quietside's second straight graded stakes victory. "She's very talented and she showed it today. She had a battle today, but she's a fighter. She showed a lot of guts."
As part of the Road to the Kentucky Oaks series, the Fantasy netted Quietside 100 points, though the Honeybee Stakes (G3) winner already was safely ensconced in the field before the race with 68 points. Simply Joking, a daughter of Practical Joke , picked up 50 points to give her 70 points and secure a spot in the May 2 Lilies for the Fillies at Churchill Downs.
The victory was especially rewarding for owner John Ed Anthony, the all-time leading owner at Oaklawn Park. Quietside accounted for his 40th stakes win at Oaklawn, including victories under his former Loblolly Stable banner, breaking a tie at 39 for the track record with John Franks.
On the toteboard, the Fantasy shaped up as a two-horse battle between 3-5 favorite Quietside and 3-1 second choice Simply Joking and that's how the 1 1/16-mile test unfolded.
Grantley Acres, Ryan Conner, and Berkels0813's Simply Joking rushed out for the early lead with Quietside and jockey Jose Ortiz on her flank.
Two-for-two in her career but unraced for trainer Whit Beckman since a Jan.18 win in the Silverbulletday Stakes, Simply Joking posted fractions of :23.89, :48.09, and 1:12.10 as she and Quietside began to pull away from their seven rivals.
Some four lengths clear of the rest of the field turning for home, the two 3-year-old rivals battled through the stretch until the final furlong when Quietside ($3.20) began to edge clear and crossed the wire in 1:44.31.
Douglas Scharbauer's Runnin N Gunnin finished 9 1/2 lengths back of the winner in third. Trained by Steve Asmussen, the Gun Runner filly gained 25 qualifying points and now has 45, putting her on the bubble for a spot in the 14-horse field for the Kentucky Oaks.
Princess Em Too was fourth, followed by Kinzie Queen, picking up 15 and 10 points, respectively, leaving them unlikely Kentucky Oaks starters.
Out of the Speightstown mare Benner Island, Quietside is the third of her five foals and the only one to race. The Fantasy was her third win in seven starts and lifted her earnings to $957,200.
