Mockingbird Stakes - 1st Running

Compiled by Robert Yates

Contact: Chris Ho, Vice President of Marketing, cho@oaklawn.com, 501-623-4411 ext. 4201

Saturday, Dec. 31, 2023

MIDSHIPMAN'S DANCE - Photo Credit: Coady Media

by Robert Yates

For Immediate Release

HOT SPRINGS, AR (Saturday, Jan. 13, 2024) – Midshipman’s Dance remained unbeaten in two lifetime starts with a victory in the inaugural $150,000 Mockingbird Stakes for 3-year-old filly sprinters Saturday at Oaklawn.

Providing jockey Cristian Torres with his fourth victory on the card, Midshipman’s Dance held off late-running Tanya Showers by a half-length. Sharp Tune, the 9-5 favorite, finished another two lengths farther back in third after setting swift fractions of :21.61 for the opening quarter and :45.32 for a half-mile.

Fourth early, Midshipman’s Dance saved ground around the turn and into the stretch before striking the front near the sixteenth pole. The winning time over a fast track was 1:10.81.

Torres rode Midshipman’s Dance ($12.20) for two-time Oaklawn training champion Robertino Diodoro and co-owners John Holleman and Randy Howg. Midshipman’s Dance, a daughter of Midshipman, earned $87,750 for the victory to raise her career bankroll to $156,750. She broke her maiden Dec. 16 at Oaklawn.

Oaklawn (winter weather) has canceled Sunday’s racing program. Racing is scheduled to resume Friday at 12:30 p.m. (Central).

Mockingbird Stakes Quotes

Winning jockey Cristian Torres: “I was hoping that we would have a fast pace, so we could make a move at the end. It definitely worked out perfect for us.”

Winning trainer Robertino Diodoro: “Nice filly. It wasn’t an ideal thing to do to put her in this race after one start. She came back after her debut and had some real good works and this is what we kind of decided at the last minute. It worked out. It’s nice to have another start in her. She’s still learning. She’s still a little green.”