Tapizar filly Monomoy Girl made a successful 3-year-old debut Feb. 17, winning the Rachel Alexandra Stakes (G2) by 2½ lengths to announce herself as a leading Kentucky Oaks (G1) candidate.
Monomoy Girl had shown plenty of promise in four starts at 2, winning three times—including the Rags to Riches Stakes—with a runner-up effort in the Golden Rod Stakes (G2). In the Rachel Alexandra, Monomoy Girl showed the ability to come from off the pace. Jockey Florent Geroux had Monomoy Girl last of seven down the backstretch before advancing four-wide around the far turn and kicking clear in the stretch under a hand ride.
The performance earned a 91 Beyer Speed Figure and 5¾ Ragozin, both career bests for Monomoy Girl.
Trainer Brad Cox said post-race that Monomoy Girl would point to either the March 24 Fair Grounds Oaks (G2) or the April 7 Ashland Stakes (G1) at Keeneland. “Obviously the Kentucky Oaks is the goal,” Cox said.
Owned by Michael Dubb, Monomoy Stables, The Elkstone Group, and Bethlehem Stables, Monomoy Girl was a $100,000 Keeneland September purchase by BSW Bloodstock agent Liz Crow. Frankfort Park Farm and Highfield Ranch bred Monomoy Girl from the Henny Hughes mare Drumette.