Secret Oath
SireArrogate
GrandsireUnbridled's Song
DamAbsinthe Minded
DamsireQuiet American
SexFilly
FoaledMarch 20, 2019[1]
CountryUnited States
ColorChestnut
BreederBriland Farm, Robert Mitchell & Stacy Mitchell
OwnerBriland Farm
TrainerD. Wayne Lukas
Record18: 6-5-3
Earnings$2,444,767[2]
Major wins
Martha Washington Stakes (2022)
Honeybee Stakes (2022)
Kentucky Oaks (2022)
Azeri Stakes (2023)
Last updated on 26 August 2023

Secret Oath (foaled March 20, 2019) is a retired American Thoroughbred racehorse who won the 2022 Kentucky Oaks. She also won the Martha Washington Stakes and Honeybee Stakes and finished third against males in the Arkansas Derby.

Background

Secret Oath is a chestnut filly, bred in Kentucky by Brilard Farms, which is owned and operated by Robert and Stacy Mitchell. She was sired by Arrogate, the 2016 American Champion three-year-old colt, in his first year at stud. Her dam Absinthe Minded, by Quiet American, was a multiple stakes winner.[3] The Mitchell's chose the mating to create a "reverse sex cross" (a form of inbreeding) on the stallion Intentionally, through his son In Reality (who appears twice in Arrogate's pedigree) and daughter Ta Wee (who appears in Absinthe Minded's pedigree).[4]

The Mitchell's originally planned to sell Secret Oath at the 2020 Keeneland yearling sale, but withdrew her before bidding began due to lack of interest.[5] She therefor races for Brilard Farms as a homebred. She is trained by D. Wayne Lukas, once one of the most dominant trainers in North America with an outstanding record in the American Classics in the 1980s and 1990s. His stable has since reduced to 25 horses. "We didn't start out with six fillies like this one", said Lukas. "We started out with one. We're probably beating the odds that an old man like me with a one-horse stable could take this to the next level."[6]

Racing career

2021: two-year-old season

Secret Oath made her first start on October 3, 2021, in a maiden special weight race at Churchill Downs. Racing along the rail, she was close to the early leader but ran into traffic problems as the field entered the stretch. She fell back to fifth place while moving to the outside, then stayed on to finish third.[7]

She made her next start on October 31, again at Churchill Downs, in a maiden special weight race at a distance of 1+1⁄16 miles. She stalked the early pace while racing three-wide around the first turn, then started her move on the far turn. She drew clear in the stretch and won by 5+1⁄4 lengths.[8]

On November 27, Secret Oath made her first stakes appearance in the Golden Rod Stakes at Churchill Downs. She tracked the early pace while racing on the outside, then made a bid for the lead on the far turn. She tired in the stretch though and finished fifth, 11+1⁄4 lengths behind the winner, Dream Lith.[9]

She made her final start as a two-year-old in an allowance rate at Oaklawn Park. Instead of pressing the pace as in her earlier starts, she rated towards the back of the pack while racing on the inside. She then shifted to the outside and started to close ground on the final turn. She took the lead in midstretch and continued to draw away, winning by 8+1⁄4 lengths.[10]

2022: three-year-old season

Secret Oath made her three-year-old debut on January 29, 2022, in the Martha Washington Stakes at Oaklawn Park, where she went off as the 1-2 favorite. She was carried wide around the first turn as she tried to chase the early leader. She then settled into fourth place down the backstretch and started her move midway through the final turn. She took the lead as they entered the stretch and pulled away to win by 7+1⁄4 lengths. "I just tried to keep her covered as much as I could," said jockey Luis Contreras. "She was fighting with me. She wanted to go every single step of the race. When I put her outside, she just exploded."[3]

On February 26, Secret Oath was entered in the Honeybee Stakes where she was the heavy favorite in a field of six. She broke slowly but then settled into stalking position on the rail. She ran into traffic on the far turn but found a hole and quickly moved to the lead. She won easily by 7+1⁄2 lengths.[11] "They convoyed her right in that pocket there a little bit and I thought, 'Well, someone has to bear out a little bit and give us some room'" said Lukas. "But then when she checked and her head went up in there I thought, 'Oh boy, this isn't a good situation,' but she's just so classy, she doesn't let anything ruffle her feathers. She just dropped down and said 'Adios.'"[12]

With Secret Oath so dominant against the fillies at Oaklawn Park, Lukas decided to test her against the colts in the Arkansas Derby on April 2. She had a troubled trip but made a strong move while racing six-wide to move from ninth to second. She flattened in the final strides and finished third behind Cyberknife and Barber Road. "She was tired", said Lukas after the race. "That move she made was a terrific move for a filly at this stage of her career, to keep going. Watching it live, I thought she's probably going to hang a little bit here. She almost had to. It was a monster move."[13][14]

Kentucky Oaks

The 2022 Kentucky Oaks, held on May 6, attracted 'arguably the best field ever' for the race according to The Thoroughbred Daily News'. In addition to Secret Oath, the field featured Nest (Ashland Stakes), two-year-old champion Echo Zulu, Kathleen O (Gulfstream Park Oaks), with several well-regarded longshots like Nostalgic (Gazelle Stakes) and Desert Dawn (Santa Anita Oaks).[15] Breaking from post position one, Secret Oath settled in eighth place behind a fast early pace. She then moved to the outside and started her run on the final turn. She took the lead in mid-stretch and won by two lengths over Nest.[16] It was a record tying fifth win of the Oaks for Lukas and the first for both the Mitchells and new jockey Luis Saez.[4]

"I thought the race unfolded pretty much like what we expected", Lukas said. "Being in the one hole, we didn't have a lot of options. But down the backside, I told [Saez] not to get too creative on the turn and make his move if he was going to get in position on the backside."[4]

"I didn't think it was a typically hard race on her today", Lukas added. "I think it was more business-like, more of a workman-like race. She wasn't blowing very hard even though it was a wet track and probably pulled a little bit out of her. But I like what I saw today in the winner's circle."[5]

Preakness Stakes

After the Kentucky Oaks victory, Lukas again entered the filly against colts, this time in the Preakness Stakes on May 21. Secret Oath started at odds of 5-1 and finished fourth to Early Voting after a poor trip. She had trouble at the start, then was checked sharply after Happy Jack cut in front of her. On recovery, she settled near the back of the pack while racing wide into the backstretch, then lost more ground when she circled five wide around the final turn. She closed into fourth place but tired in the final furlong.[17] Lukas commented after the race, "The fractions being slow like that, it was hard to run (them) down. She flattened out a little bit in the last eighth. It wasn't her day."[18]

Summer at Saratoga

On July 23, Secret Oath clashed with her rival Nest in the Coaching Club American Oaks at Saratoga Race Course. Nest went to the early lead with Society and set slow early fractions while Secret Oath rated just behind. Secret Oath moved into second on the final turn but was unable to respond when Nest kicked clear in the stretch to win by 12+1⁄4 lengths. Lukas commented, "We got beat fair and square" and praised his former pupil Todd Pletcher, who had worked for Lukas before going on his own in 1995.[19]

Secret Oath returned to face Nest three weeks later on August 23 in the Alabama Stakes at Saratoga over the longer 1+1⁄4 mile distance.[20] She once again fell short, finishing second to Nest by 4+1⁄4 lengths in a time of 2:03.14.[20] "We got outrun, we had a shot at her at the top of the stretch, she's special," Lukas said. "We had our style today. I thought Luis rode a real good race. Little bit slow on the fractions early on, that probably set up for [Nest] to kick on but we’re supposed to kick on too."[20]

Fall campaign

Secret Oath made her next start on September 24 in the Cotillion Stakes at PARX Racing. She went off as the 2-1 second choice in a field of nine. On a track that appeared to favor early speed, Society went to the front and opened up a large lead going into the final turn. Secret Oath raced in mid-pack early, then mounted a strong run to close ground as she turned into the stretch. She could not maintain the drive though and finished third. Lukas noted that Secret Oath's jockey, Luis Saez, had faced a difficult decision. "Do you ride for second or do you try to ride the one that is out there down?" he asked after the race. "(Secret Oath) made that big move on the middle of the turn and she is running faster than any of them. (Saez) had to make that move. The pacesetter was just too far in front."[21]

On November 5 in the Breeders' Cup Distaff Secret Oath finished fifth, weakening after taking the lead as the field entered the straight. She was no match for Malathaat who won in a three-way photo finish with Blue Stripe and Clairiere finishing third.[22]

Retirement

Secret Oath was retired due to inflammation in her right front ankle. She is to be sold during 2023 November Sale at Fasig-Tipton. She was withdrawn from the same sale last year.[23]


Statistics

Date Distance Race Grade Track Odds Field Finish Winning Time Winning
(Losing)
Margin		 Jockey Ref
2021 – Two-year-old season
Oct 3, 2021 1 mile Maiden Special Weight Churchill Downs 31.40 8 3 1:37.43 (10+1⁄4 lengths) Reylu Gutierrez [7]
Oct 31, 2021 1+1⁄16 miles Maiden Special Weight Churchill Downs 2.80 8 1 1:46.86 5+1⁄4 lengths David Cohen [8]
Nov 27, 2021 1+1⁄16 miles Golden Rod Stakes II Churchill Downs 16.80 8 5 1:44.72 (11+1⁄4 lengths) David Cohen [9]
Dec 31, 2021 1 mile Allowance Oaklawn Park 7.80 9 1 1:37.38 8+1⁄4 lengths Luis Contreras [10]
2022 – Three-year-old season
Jan 29, 2022 1+1⁄16 miles Martha Washington Stakes Listed Oaklawn Park 0.50* 6 1 1:46.21 7+1⁄4 lengths Luis Contreras [24]
Feb 26, 2022 1+1⁄16 miles Honeybee Stakes III Oaklawn Park 0.30* 6 1 1:44.74 7+1⁄2 lengths Luis Contreras [11]
Apr 2, 2022 1+1⁄8 miles Arkansas Derby I Oaklawn Park 1.40* 9 3 1:50.42 (3+1⁄2 lengths) Luis Contreras [14]
May 6, 2022 1+1⁄8 miles Kentucky Oaks I Churchill Downs 4.40 14 1 1:49.44 2 lengths Luis Saez [16]
May 21, 2022 1+3⁄16 miles Preakness Stakes I Pimlico 5.00 9 4 1:54.54 (6+1⁄4 lengths) Luis Saez [17]
Jul 23, 2022 1+1⁄8 miles Coaching Club American Oaks I Saratoga 1.20 5 2 1:51.04 (12+1⁄4 lengths) Luis Saez [25]
Aug 20, 2022 1+1⁄4 miles Alabama Stakes I Saratoga 4.80 7 2 2:03.14 (4+1⁄4 lengths) Luis Saez [26]
Sep 24, 2022 1+1⁄16 miles Cotillion Stakes I Parx Racing 2.20 9 3 1:42.94 (7+3⁄4 lengths) Luis Saez [27]
Nov 5, 2022 1+1⁄8 miles Breeders' Cup Distaff I Keeneland 14.25 8 5 1:49.07 (5+1⁄2 lengths) Luis Saez [28]
2023 – Four-year-old season
Mar 11, 2023 1+1⁄16 miles Azeri Stakes II Oaklawn Park 1.40 8 1 1:43.26 2+3⁄4 lengths Tyler Gaffalione [29]
Apr 15, 2023 1+1⁄16 miles Apple Blossom Handicap I Oaklawn Park 0.70* 4 2 1:43.36 (neck) Tyler Gaffalione [30]
May 5, 2023 1+1⁄16 miles La Troienne Stakes I Churchill Downs 1.68* 10 2 1:42.48 (neck) Tyler Gaffalione [31]
Jun 10, 2023 1+1⁄16 miles Ogden Phipps Stakes I Belmont Park 3.15 6 5 1:43.40 (12+1⁄2 lengths) Tyler Gaffalione [32]
Aug 25, 2023 1+1⁄8 miles Personal Ensign Stakes I Saratoga 7.20 6 2 1:49.12 (4 lengths) Javier Castellano [33]

An asterisk after the odds means Secret Odds was the post-time favorite

Pedigree

Pedigree of Secret Oath, chestnut filly, March 20, 2019[1]
Sire
Arrogate		 Unbridled's Song Unbridled Fappiano
Gana Facil
Trolley Song Caro (IRE)
Lucky Spell
Bubbler Distorted Humor Forty Niner
Danzig's Beauty
Grechelle Deputy Minister
Meadow Star
Dam
Absinthe Minded		 Quiet American Fappiano Mr. Prospector
Killaloe
Demure Dr. Fager
Quiet Charm
Rockford Peach Great Above Minnesota Mac
Ta Wee
Strawberry Skyline Hatchet Man
Drylook (family 9f)[34]

Secret Oath is inbred 4s x 3d to Fappiano, meaning Fappiano appears in the fourth generation on the sire's side of the pedigree and in the third generation on the dam's side.

References

  1. 1 2 "Pedigree of Secret Oath". Equineline. Retrieved 6 May 2022.
  2. ↑ "Profile of Secret Oath". Equibase. Retrieved 25 August 2023.
  3. 1 2 "Arrogate's Secret Oath Dominates Martha Washington". TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News. 29 January 2022. Retrieved 7 May 2022.
  4. 1 2 3 Rollins, Molly. "Secret Oath gives Lukas fifth Kentucky Oaks win". BloodHorse.com. Retrieved 7 May 2022.
  5. 1 2 Sullivan, Tim. "Once overlooked, Secret Oath is no secret anymore after Kentucky Oaks victory". The Courier-Journal. Retrieved 25 October 2022.
  6. ↑ "At 86, Lukas Eyes Kentucky Oaks Win With Secret Oath". TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News. 24 February 2022. Retrieved 7 May 2022.
  7. 1 2 "Chart for October 3, 2021, Race 8 at Churchill Downs". equibase.com. Retrieved 6 May 2022.
  8. 1 2 "Chart for October 31, 2019 - Race 6 at Churchill Downs". Equibase. Retrieved 7 May 2022.
  9. 1 2 "Chart for the Golden Rod Stakes". equibase.com. Retrieved 6 May 2022.
  10. 1 2 "Chart for December 31, 2021 - Race 8 at Oaklawn Park". Equibase. Retrieved 7 May 2022.
  11. 1 2 "Chart for the Honeybee Stakes". Equibase. Retrieved 7 May 2022.
  12. ↑ "Secret Oath says 'adios' to Honeybee rivals". BloodHorse.com. Retrieved 7 May 2022.
  13. ↑ "Cyberknife Fine after Arkansas Derby Win". TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News. 3 April 2022. Retrieved 7 May 2022.
  14. 1 2 "Chart for the Arkansas Derby". Equibase. Retrieved 7 May 2022.
  15. ↑ "Storming Into the Oaks". TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News. 5 May 2022. Retrieved 7 May 2022.
  16. 1 2 "Chart for the Kentucky Oaks". Equibase. Retrieved 7 May 2022.
  17. 1 2 "Preakness Stakes (Grade 1 - race 13)". equibase.com. 21 May 2022. Retrieved 23 May 2022.
  18. ↑ Ehalt, Bob (21 May 2022). "Early Voting Defeats Epicenter in Preakness Epicenter, farther off the pace than usual, rallied inside to grab second". bloodhorse.com. Retrieved 23 May 2022.
  19. ↑ Wilkin, Tim (23 July 2022). "Nest Rolls Home Over Secret Oath in CCA Oaks; Curlin filly dominated the field July 23 with Secret Oath a distant second". BloodHorse.com. Retrieved 25 July 2022.
  20. 1 2 3 Grening, David (20 August 2022). "Nest leaves little doubt who rules division with dominant Alabama score". www.drf.com. Retrieved 21 August 2022.
  21. ↑ "Society crushes rivals in Cotillion". BloodHorse.com. Retrieved 25 September 2022.
  22. ↑ Wilkin, Tim (5 November 2022). "Malathaat Wins BC Distaff in Three-Way Photo Finish; Malathaat edges out Blue Stripe and Clairiere by the slimmest of margins". BloodHorse.com. Retrieved 11 December 2022.
  23. ↑ King, Byron (7 October 2023). "Secret Oath Retired; Sells Nov. 7 at Fasig-Tipton; The Arrogate filly missed the Oct. 8 Spinster Stakes (G1) due to her ankle injury". BloodHorse.com. Retrieved 7 October 2023.
  24. ↑ "Chart for the Martha Washington Stakes". Equibase. Retrieved 7 May 2022.
  25. ↑ "Coaching Club American Oaks (Grade 1 - race 5)". equibase.com. 23 July 2022. Retrieved 23 May 2022.
  26. ↑ "Alabama Stakes (Grade 1 - race 10)". equibase.com. Retrieved 21 August 2022.
  27. ↑ "Chart for the Cotillion Stakes". equibase.com. Retrieved 24 September 2022.
  28. ↑ "2022 Longines Breeders' Cup Distaff Grade 1 - (race 10)". www.equibase.com. 5 November 2021. Retrieved 11 December 2022.
  29. ↑ "Azeri Stakes Grade 2 (race 9)". Equibase. Retrieved 12 March 2023.
  30. ↑ "2023 Apple Blossom Handicap Grade 1 – (race 11)". Equibase. 15 April 2023. Retrieved 16 April 2023.
  31. ↑ "2023 La Troienne Stakes presented by TwinSpires Grade 1 – (race 9)". Equibase. 5 May 2023. Retrieved 6 May 2023.
  32. ↑ "Ogden Phipps Stakes (Grade 1 – race 7)". equibase.com. 10 June 2023. Retrieved 10 June 2023.
  33. ↑ "2023 Personal Ensign Stakes Grade I (race 9)". Equibase. 25 August 2023. Retrieved 26 August 2023.
  34. ↑ "Thoroughbred Bloodlines - Toxophilite Mare - Family 9-f". www.bloodlines.net. Retrieved 6 May 2022.
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