Filly Sans Defaut defeats the colts in Old Oaken Bucket

Delaware, OH — Ron Burke’s error when entering Sans Defaut for this week’s races at the Delaware County Fair worked in his favor as the filly knocked off the boys in Thursday’s (Sept. 24) $83,800 Old Oaken Bucket for 3-year-old trotters.

Burke intended to put Sans Defaut in Wednesday’s Buckette for 3-year-old fillies, but mistakenly entered the Old Oaken Bucket. Sans Defaut made it pay off, beating Hobbs by 1-3/4 lengths in 1:55. Bronze Yankee finished third.

“Buckette, Bucket, I don’t know, I didn’t even look,” Burke said with a laugh. “I just saw Bucket and I put her in the race. So, I was like, whatever, we’ll go against the boys.”

Sans Defaut knocked off the boys in Thursday’s $83,800 Old Oaken Bucket. USTA/Mark Hall photo.

Three of the five horses in the race went off stride prior to the first turn, including 3-5 favorite Emma Town Bud, leaving Sans Defaut and Hobbs to battle for the trophy. Hobbs, the 6-5 second choice, led until the last turn when driver Matt Kakaley pulled Sans Defaut to the outside and went on to victory at odds of 6-1.

Burke is no stranger to racing a trotting filly against the boys. He did it in the 2015 Hambletonian with Mission Brief and again this year with Sister Sledge. And this year’s Hambletonian was won by a filly, Ramona Hill.

“I’ve said all year I think the fillies this year are tougher than the colts,” Burke said. “I raced a filly against the colts in the Hambo; I’m sure we’re going to do it again in the (Kentucky) Futurity. The fillies are tougher. You’ve got Ramona Hill, you’ve got (Hypnotic AM), my filly; they’re just better than the colts this year. I don’t think it’s a big deal to race them.”

Sans Defaut is a full sister to Dan Patch Award winner, and former Burke standout, Southwind Frank. She is by Muscle Hill out of Flawless Lindy and was bred by co-owner Crawford Farms. The remaining owners are Burke Racing, J&T Silva-Purnel & Libby, and Weaver Bruscemi.

“We’ve had big hopes for her,” Burke said. “She got kind of lost behind Crucial and (Sister) Sledge in our barn, but in the last couple weeks she seems to be getting better. It was her first time with no shoes today and she seemed a little bit even quicker off the gate.”

For the year, Sans Defaut has won five of 11 races and $156,605. For her career, she has won eight of 21 starts and $253,706.

Back to Top

Share via