Giant Oak Upsets Strong Field in the Donn Handicap (G1)

A year ago, one of the most controversial Breeder’s Cup horses of the decade showed he had matured from his disastrous attempt in the Breeder’s Cup Classic (G1) when he won the Donn Handicap (G1).

Like Quality Road last year, this year’s Donn winner, Giant Oak, was well known coming into the race. Only, unlike Quality Road, “Oakster” is known for his loyal fanbase that has stood behind him through thick and thin.

The Donn had a full, talented field of nine including a Breeder’s Cup winner in Eldaafer (winner of the 2010 Breeder’s Cup Marathon (G3)) and two horses that had hit the board in last year’s Championships. While the field was missing a few of the notables of the Handicap division, it was a strong field for early February, and one that had many excited for the rest of the season.

With the strong field, the names of Morning Line, Fly Down and Rule were heard when the discussion turned to winning, but few believed Giant Oak could pull off the upset and win the race.

Giant Oak was coming off a November 26 win in the Clark Handicap (G1), the first race he had won in 14 starts spanning from the summer of 2009 to the fall of 2010. However, the Donn was the first true win from the horse with his Clark victory coming from the disqualification of the winning horse, Successful Dan, after the stewards ruled he interfered with other horses in the stretch.

Giant Oak sat mid-pack for most of the race before making a late charge in the stretch, passing a pack of three dueling horses (Morning Line, Rule and I Want Revenge) to win by two lengths.

“There was plenty of speed in the race so I was able to sit back and ride a patient race," jockey Shaun Bridgmohan said in a post-race interview with Bloodhorse magazine. "He’s just really growing up. He’s come such a long way. It’s so good to see because he’s always had a ton of ability and I’m happy that’s he’s finally getting to show that.”

Morning Line, who had dueled with Square Eddie from the start, finished second with Rule a nose behind in third, followed by I Want Revenge, who was returning from a lengthy layoff that had started in late August. 

Giant Oak is a chestnut five-year-old son of Giants Causeway, out of the Crafty Prospector mare Crafty Oak.  His record improved his record to 24-5-5-3 and broke the million dollar mark with the $300,000 purse, taking his earnings to $1,259,677.

There has been no confirmation on where Giant Oak is going next, but the Dubai World Cup is a consideration.