Explora gets the trip to win $750,000 Honeybee S. (G3)

Explora moved atop the Kentucky Oaks (G1) leaderboard with her well-deserved victory in Sunday’s $750,000 Honeybee S. (G3) at Oaklawn Park.

The Honeybee, which awarded 50 points to the winner on the Road to the Kentucky Oaks, gives the Bob Baffert trainee a total of 90, virtually assuring herself a spot in the May 1^st Kentucky Oaks.

Ridden by Flavien Prat for the first time in her career, Explora came away well from post 8 and moved into second as the field rounded the first turn. With Knickleandime setting moderate fractions, Explora held her spot for six furlongs before launching her bid for the lead at the quarter pole. Staying strong through the lane, Explora held off Counting Stars late to win by three-quarters of a length.

“Bobby [Baffert] told us when he bought her that he thought she was special,” said co-owner Mike Pegram. “You know the farther she goes, the better. She was finally able to stretch her legs today and she did her job.  We knew after her debut she was special and she was in the right place with the right guy on her back and we got the money.”

Owned by Pegram with long-time partners Karl Watson, & Paul Weitman, Explora is 4-3-0 in seven starts and has earned $1,064,250, making her racing’s newest millionaire. Her previous stakes wins came in the Oak Leaf S. (G2) and Santa Ynez S.