Before New York racing moves north to Saratoga, the top 3-year-old fillies on the East Coast go in the $300,000 Coaching Club American Oaks (G1) at Belmont Park. Seven went to the gate in this 1 1/4 mile main track feature, with Mother Goose winner Octave sent off as the 1-2 favorite over 7-2 Folk and 4-1 Lear's Princess. Unfortunately, Belmont Stakes winner Rags to Riches did not enter due to a fever.
Folk set a pace of 23.91, 48.00, 1:12.25, and 1:36.47 while Octave, 20-1 Humble Janet, and Lear's Princess stayed close behind the whole way. At the top of the stretch, Octave closed the gap on the pacesetter, taking over the lead at the 3/16 pole. Under jockey John Velazquez, Octave held off the late move of Lear's Princess to win by 1/2 a length in 2:02.17. Pacesetter Folk hung on to be third, 3/4 length back of Lear's Princess, while Humble Janet was fourth.
Results chart
