Secret Oath and Clariere renew rivalry in Apple Blossom
At 1h15, on April 15, 2023 • By OAKLAWN PARK
There’s a reason the $1 million Apple Blossom Handicap (G1) drew only four entrants. Two reasons, actually – Secret Oath and Clairiere, the millionaire Grade 1 winners who meet for the third time in the Apple Blossom, the 1 1/16-mile prize for older fillies and mares, Saturday at Oaklawn.
Probable post time for the Apple Blossom, which goes as the 11th of 12 races, is 6:12 p.m. (Central). Racing begins at 12:35 p.m. The card includes the $500,000 Count Fleet Sprint Handicap (G3) for older horses at 6 furlongs.
If the field remains intact, it will equal the smallest in Apple Blossom history. Gorgeous beat three rivals, including heavily favored Bayakoa, the defending champion and future National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame inductee, in 1990.
“Kind of been watching it all winter long,” said Norm Casse, trainer of 2023 Apple Blossom entrant Hot and Sultry. “Kind of had a feeling. You’ve got two really nice fillies in there that scared everybody away.”
Secret Oath, the Apple Blossom program favorite, and Clairiere split their first two meetings. Clairiere finished third, beaten two noses, in the $2 million Breeders’ Cup Distaff (G1) at 1 1/8 miles Nov. 5 at Keeneland.
Both horses, racing for the first time since the Breeders’ Cup Distaff, met again in the $350,000 Azeri Stakes (G2) at 1 1/16 miles March 11 at Oaklawn. Secret Oath, ridden for the first time by Gaffalione, beat Clairiere by 2 ¾ lengths in the final major local Apple Blossom prep.
