Power Squeeze battles to win Delaware Oaks by a nose

Power Squeeze scored a hard-fought victory over upstart Sidamara in the Grade 3, $300,125 Delaware Oaks at Delaware Park on Monday.

Power Squeeze, with Javier Castellano, prevailed by a nose over 3-5 favorite Sidamara, with Jose Ortiz, after a prolonged stretch battle. The pair finished 2 1/4-lengths in front of Regaled, with Forest Boyce, in third.

Ringy Dingy, with Katie Davis, set early fractions of 50.34 seconds for the half mile and 1:13.32 for the three-quarters mile before fading to fifth. The final time was 1:47.65 for 1 1/16 miles over a fast main track.

Power Squeeze returned $4.60 as the second choice in the field of six.

“She is a champion,” said winning trainer Jorge Delgado, who conditions Power Squeeze for owner Lea Farms. “She showed today she has the determination to win. I thought at any point we could lose, but she just kept going and going and she won the head bob. I felt a little nervous coming into the stretch because the leader Ringy Dingy opened a couple of lengths and looked comfortable on the lead. The horse coming from behind (Sidamara) was coming, but when she got that horse in her eyesight, she started fighting and showed she had the determination to win.”

Last year, the daughter of Union Rags broke her maiden at Delaware Park before winning three straight in Florida including the Gulfstream Park Oaks (G2). In her last two starts, the Kentucky-bred lost against Thorpedo Anna when she was sixth in the Kentucky Oaks (G1) and recently third in the Acorn Stakes (G1) at Saratoga.

“We are looking forward to having another opportunity against her (Thorpedo Anna),” said trainer Jorge Delgado.

Javier Castellano was not surprised with the way Power Squeeze fought, but was grateful the photo finish showed she won.

“Everything went well with her today,” said winning rider Javier Castellano. “I really liked the way she did it today. Turning for home, I really felt good about the way she was encouraging herself. When she saw the other horse (Sidamara), she took off again. After we hooked up with each other, those two fought like champions to the wire. I am just glad it went our way. Sometimes it does not work out your way, but today it did.”

Power Squeeze raised her career record to 9: 5-1-1 with earnings of $592,450.