Colonial Downs announced Saturday that Fondly captured the Virginia Oaks, earning 50 points on the Road to the Kentucky Oaks with an impressive performance in just her second career start.
The daughter of Upstart out of Lifetime Memory (by Istan) followed up her stylish four-length maiden victory at Tampa Bay Downs on February 14 with a determined half-length win in the $250,000 stakes race.
Fondly settled into second position early as Anonima (Sharp Azteca) set the pace through fractions of :23.49, :46.58, and 1:10.59. Under jockey Irad Ortiz Jr.’s patient handling, Fondly launched her bid entering the stretch, steadily closing the gap before taking command late and holding off a charging Early On (Union Rags) at the wire. Anonima faded to third.
“It was only her second start, and we knew she could get the distance, but I didn’t want to use her energy early if I didn’t have to,” said Ortiz Jr. “Last time she missed the break a little bit, but today she broke good, put me in a good position, and when the horse inside started to show speed, I let her go and stuck second. Down the stretch she kept coming all the way to the wire. My filly stepped up today.”
The victory vaults Fondly into the upper echelon of the Kentucky Oaks points standings, currently tied for fourth with Queen Azteca at 50 points. Early On moves into a five-way tie for 11th with 25 points, while Anonima sits tied for 27th with 15 points.
Fondly completed the 1 1/16-mile contest in 1:42.51 over a fast track as the 1.20-1 favorite.
H. Graham Motion trains the promising filly for Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners. Bred in Kentucky by Brereton C. Jones, Fondly was a $50,000 yearling purchase at the 2023 Fasig-Tipton October Sale.
The victory improved her career record to a perfect 2-for-2 with earnings of $169,200.
Pedigree enthusiasts will note that success runs in Fondly’s family. She is a half-sister to GIII Peter Pan Stakes winner Antiquarian (Preservationist), who finished fifth in last year’s Belmont Stakes. Her dam, Lifetime Memory, has a yearling colt by Happy Saver and is due to deliver a foal by Mage in 2025.
Lifetime Memory is out of Grade 3 winner Silver Reunion (Harlan’s Holiday), making Fondly a half-sister to graded stakes winner Speaktomeofsummer (Summer Front), stakes winner Proud Reunion (Proud Citizen), and graded stakes-placed More Fun Again (Arch).
This female family also includes multiple Group/Grade I-placed Lucayan Prince and multiple graded stakes winner Comic Strip.
Fondly stretches out and remains perfect in the Virginia Oaks! Onto the Kentucky Oaks! 🌷@grahammotion trains and @iradortiz was aboard!
🎥 TwinSpiresReplay pic.twitter.com/pcacBTugQL
— TwinSpires Racing 🏇 (@TwinSpires)
Fondly stretches out and remains perfect in the Virginia Oaks! Onto the Kentucky Oaks! 🌷March 15, 2025
