Quietside , one of the country’s leading 2-year-old fillies, will make her 3-year-old debut in the 1 1/16-mile $300,000 Martha Washington Stakes at Oaklawn Park Jan. 25, trainer John Ortiz said Dec. 22.
The Martha Washington is Oaklawn’s first of three qualifying races for the May 2 Kentucky Oaks (G1) at Churchill Downs, which is the country’s biggest prize for 3-year-old fillies. The Martha Washington carries a record purse in 2025 after previously being worth $250,000.
A homebred for Arkansas-based Shortleaf Stable (John Ed Anthony), Quietside is now training at Oaklawn after completing her 2-year-old campaign with a runner-up finish in the 1 1/16-mile $400,000 Golden Rod Stakes (G2) at Churchill Downs Nov. 30. Quietside was beaten 2 1/2 lengths by Good Cheer , who surged to the lead late on the second turn.
“Quietside’s doing fantastic,” Ortiz said. “She came back out of that race in great shape. Looking a little bit more tight and fit. She’s really developing into her 3-year-old body. So, we’re excited about it.”
The Golden Rod was Quietside’s fourth career start. The daughter of Malibu Moon won her Aug. 4 career debut at Saratoga Race Course by 6 1/4 lengths, then finished second behind division leader Immersive in the $300,000 Spinaway Stakes (G1) Aug. 31 at Saratoga. In her two-turn debut, Quietside finished third behind Immersive in the 1 1/16-mile $600,000 Alcibiades Stakes (G1) at Keeneland Oct. 4.
Quietside earned a career-high 86 Equibase Speed Figure in the Golden Rod, which was run over a fast track.
“When that horse (Good Cheer) went by her, you thought, ‘Shoot,’ but then Quietside came back,” said John Gasper, Anthony’s racing manager. “She beat the third horse six lengths. I told John Ed: ‘She ran a really good number (speed figure).’ She ran hard. She gives you what she’s got every time.”
The Martha Washington will offer 42 total points (20-10-6-4-2, respectively) to the top five finishers toward starting eligibility for the Kentucky Oaks. Quietside, based on her finishes in the Alcibiades and Golden Rod, has already collected eight points.
Oaklawn’s Kentucky Oaks prep series continues with the $500,000 Honeybee Stakes (G3) Feb. 22 and the $750,000 Fantasy Stakes (G2) March 29. Both races are 1 1/16 miles. Thorpedo Anna swept the Fantasy and Kentucky Oaks in 2024.
Ortiz trains another filly of high interest who is scheduled to make her debut in Oaklawn’s seventh race Dec. 29: Yes Ma’am , half sister to 2024 Kentucky Derby (G1) winner Mystik Dan . The $110,000 maiden special weight six-furlong sprint for fillies is part of a Dec. 29 2-year-old exclusive card. Ortiz trains Yes Ma’am for the same Arkansas-bred connections as Mystik Dan—Lance Gasaway, Brent and Sharilyn Gasaway and Banks Hamby.
This press release has been edited for content and style by BloodHorse Staff.
