Botanical took the lead right out of the starting gate and never looked back as she cruised to a two-and-a-half-length victory in the Listed Bourbonette Oaks at Turfway Park on Saturday, 25 March.
The three-year-old Medaglia d’Oro filly won her fourth straight race and second straight Stakes (following her victory in the Cincinnati Trophy) to improve her record to four wins in six starts for owners LNJ Foxwoods and Clearsky Farms. Her 91 and 90 Beyers in these last two added-money events are the highest among three-year-old fillies at a mile or longer in 2023. Saturday’s victory also earned Botanical another 50 points on the Road to the Kentucky Oaks, to go with the 20 she earned from her earlier win in the Cincinnati Trophy.
Botanical broke sharply and took the lead right out of the starting gate. She was followed by Renegade Rebel (Nyquist) in second and stablemate Flashy Gem in third. The runners remained unchanged as they galloped down the backstretch, as Botanical began to increase her lead.
Rounding the far turn Botanical maintained her advantage as Flashy Gem moved into second. Renegade Rebel threw in the towel as Ag Bullet began to close rapidly on the far outside. In the final furlong it was all Botanical, as she increased her lead while still under a hand ride. Flashy Gem tried to challenge her stablemate to no avail and had to settle for second as they crossed the wire. It was several lengths back to Thirty Thou Kelvin, who closed belatedly to take third.
A $220,000 Keeneland September Sales graduate, Botanical was bred in Kentucky by Clearsky Farms and Godolphin. She is the first foal out of the Graded Stakes-winning Blame mare Daisy, winner of the G3 Tempted Stakes at Aqueduct and runner-up in the Suncoast Stakes at Tampa Bay Downs.
If Botanical wins this year's Kentucky Oaks, she'll follow in the footsteps of other winning daughters of Medaglia d’Oro: Rachel Alexandra in 2009 and Plum Pretty in 2011.
Medaglia d’Oro is standing the 2023 breeding season at Jonabell Farm in Kentucky for $100,000, stands and nurses.
