Not This Time got his eighth lifetime graded stakes winner on July 2 when Midnight Stroll repelled a stiff challenge from Shotgun Hottie to win the $300,000 Delaware Oaks (G3) by a head.
With seven stakes winners this year, topped by Grade 1 winner Just One Time, Not This Time leads the Third-Crop Sire list with $6.6 million in progeny earnings.
Midnight Stroll, winner of the Sophomore Fillies S. at Tampa Bay Downs in late March, was co-favored with Shotgun Hottie in the 1 1/16-mile Oaks. After an even break, Midnight Stroll made her way over to the fence, about five lengths from the front, as the field rounded the first turn. She moved from fifth to second on the backstretch, with Unadulterated showing the way by three lengths with a half-mile to run.
Midnight Stroll surged past the pacesetter in the next furlong to take the lead, with Shotgun Hottie closing to set up the stretch battle. The top two pulled away from the field in the final furlong, with Midnight Stroll getting the best of it, stopping the timer in 1:44.31 on a fast main track.
“I felt very confident about her chances today because I worked her last time and she worked very well,” said winning rider Eric Cancel. “Her best two races had been on the lead and today there was a little bit more speed, but I am glad I was able to breeze her because I got to know her a little better and I had a great trip with her.”
Midnight Stroll, who was a $225,000 OBS October 2020 yearling, is 3-0-0 in six starts and has earned $238,225. She is owned by Gatsas Stables, R. A. Hill Stable, and Steven Schoenfeld.
Midnight Stroll was bred by Dr. Carolin Von Rosenberg DVM.