LAUREL, MD. 9-13-14---R. Larry Johnson’s Heaven Knows What cruised to victory in the $60,000 Oakley Stakes for Virginia-bred fillies and mares.

Victor Carrasco held the reins atop the Michael Trombetta trained daughter of Holy Bull. The grey-roan mare was still under a drive when she reached the 1/16^th marker but was geared down going to the wire. She finished two lengths in the clear in 1:02.76 for 5-1/2 furlong distance over the firm turf.  Lion Down by Me rallied to take second and Wardelle was third.

“Victor is familiar with her,” said Trombetta. “He has ridden her a couple of times now. He keeps her in the race and gives her a good chance. I was worried about her coming back in two weeks but you have to run when the races are offered. Fortunately, she kicked on and kept running today. I was very proud of her.”

Heaven Knows What finished second in last year’s Oakley Stakes when the race was contested at Colonial Downs.

The winner was bred by her owner. She paid $5.80 as the program and post time favorite.

About Laurel Park
Laurel Park is a Stronach Group company, North America’s leading Thoroughbred racetrack owner/operator. The Stronach Group racetracks include Santa Anita Park, Gulfstream Park & Casino, Golden Gate Fields, Portland Meadows, Laurel Park and Pimlico Race Course, home of the world-famous Preakness. The company owns and operates the Palm Meadows Training Center in Florida and is one of North America's top race horse breeders through its award-winning Adena Springs operation. The Stronach Group is one of the world's largest suppliers of pari-mutuel wagering systems, technologies and services. Its companies include AmTote, a global leader in wagering technology; Xpressbet, an Internet and telephone account wagering service; and Monarch Content Management, which acts as a simulcast purchase and sales agent of horseracing content for numerous North American racetracks and wagering outlets. The Stronach Group is also a major producer of televised horse racing programming through its HRTV cable and satellite network and is North America's premier supplier of virtual online horse racing games, as well as a leading producer of social media content for the horseracing industry.