In a surprising upset, 14-1 longshot Niche held off the 7-10 favorite At a Premium to win the $750,000 Charles Town Oaks (G2) by a half-length Aug. 28 at Hollywood Casino at Charles Town Races.
Niche broke sharply under Dylan Davis in the nine-horse field of 3-year-old fillies, and took it to the previously unbeaten At a Premium right from the start. The Florida-bred daughter of Yaupon cruised on the lead through fractions of :23.20, :46.77, and 1:11.25, and finished the 7 furlongs on a fast track in 1:25.36.
Trained by Rob Atras, Niche, who had never raced beyond 6 1/2 furlongs, paid $30 for a $2 wager.
At a Premium came into the race with four wins in four starts by an average of more than 10 lengths, including an 8 1/4-length score in the Sylvia Bishop Memorial Stakes over the 7-furlong distance at Charles Town Races. However, she had to settle for second, 1 1/2 lengths over a fast-closing Tahlequah. Delaware Oaks (G3) winner Luv Your Neighbor was never involved and finished fifth.
Purchased for $275,000 as a yearling by owner Red White and Blue Racing at the 2024 Fasig-Tipton's The Saratoga Sale from the Summerfield consignment, Niche has now won three of her last four outings with career earnings of $555,108.
Bred by Summerfield Sales Agency and Etarip Stables out of the Quiet American mare Stormbeforethecalm, Niche is the sixth graded winner for Yaupon, who stood this season for $60,000 at Spendthrift Farm in Kentucky.
