Summerly and jockey Jerry Bailey with the Oaks winner's lilies.
2005 Kentucky Oaks Results
Date: 05/06/2005
A record crowd of 111,243 descended on the newly renovated Churchill Downs for the 131st running of the Grade 1 Kentucky Oaks. Only seven fillies went to post in the main event, after two scratches, with Ashland Stakes runaway winner Sis City sent off as the prohibitive 3-5 favorite.
When the gate opened, jockey Jerry Bailey took Fair Grounds Oaks winner and 9-2 second choice Summerly to the front and she rattled off fractions of 23.45, 47.44, and 1:11.53 over the fast surface with Edgar Prado aboard Sis City battled with her to the outside. Turning for home, Prado asked the favorite for run, and Sis City drew even with the pacesetter but with a furlong to go, Sis City gave way and dropped out of contention as Summerly continued on to the wire to win by 2 lengths over the late-running 7-1 shot In The Gold. Final time for the 1 1/8 miles was 1:50.23. It was another 1 3/4 length back to 43-1 longest shot Gallant Secret who rallied from last to finish third, and 3/4 more back to Sis City in fourth.
There were five other stakes races on the card with the Oaks. Full results for all of them with more photos are here.
First time by with Summerly leading over Sis City. Jockey Edgar Prado on Sis City said, "She was right there (off the lead) but I knew the other horse was more horse than mine, because he (Bailey) was holder her (Summerly) and I was riding to keep up."
Oaks winner Summerly after the race. Winning trainer Steve Asmussen said, "This is the filly we have run all season long. She was away from the gate cleanly; at Keeneland, the second jump, I knew we were in trouble because she wasn't handling the track."
Summerly in the post parade. Jockey Jerry Bailey, winning his third and possibly last Oaks, said, "It was unexpected to be on the lead. Sis City had a post inside us and more speed so I planned to lay second. The way the break was, Summerly broke really well, and I made the determination I was going to go ahead and take the lead and see what Sis City was made of; Edgar eased back and took outside and I tried to slow it down as best I could."
Second place finisher In The Gold in the post parade. Jockey Rafael Bejarano said, "She broke good. She was saving ground, but I didn't see too much speed in the front. The number five (Summerly), she stayed in the front very comfortable. My filly, she finished strong but the other horse never stopped."
Third place finisher Gallant Secret closed from last for the show spot. Jockey Mike Smith said, "I had an excellent trip. She ran dynamite. I couldn't have asked her to do anymore than that. I was really proud of her."
Fourth place finisher and beaten favorite Sis City in the post parade with Monty, the pony horse who doesn't wear a bridle. Her trainer Richard Dutrow Jr. said, "Edgar says she was flat today. We'll see if she comes out OK."
The prizes for the Oaks winner: the wreath of Stargazer lilies, a bouquet for the jockey, and a set of 12 silver julep cups.
Manhattan Handicap (G1) and Just a Game Stakes (G1) Results - On the Belmont undercard, Gio Ponti won over Marsh Side and Better Talk Now in the Manhattan Handicap, while Diamondrella beat favorite Forever Together in the Just a Game Stakes. Get the results, chart, and photos here.
Acorn Stakes (G1), True North Handicap (G2), and Woody Stephens Stakes (G2) Results - Also on the Belmont undercard, Gabby's Golden Gal upset favorite Justwhistledixie in the Acorn, top choice Fabulous Strike beat defending champ Benny the Bull in the True North Handicap, and Munnings won by 5 1/4 lengths in the Woody Stephens Stakes. Get the results, chart, and photos here.
Brooklyn Handicap (G2) and Hill Prince Stakes - Eldaafer got up by a nose to win the Brooklyn Handicap over pacesetter Nite Light in the slop, with favorite Rising Moon third. In the Hill Prince Stakes, which was taken off the turf, Despite the Odds drew away to win by 7 1/2 lengths. Get the results, chart, and photos here.
2009 Belmont Stakes Entries - A field of 10 was entered with Kentucky Derby winner and Preakness runner-up Mine That Bird the 2-1 morning line favorite from post 7. Get the entries, post positions, odds, and free past performances here.
Belmont Stakes Friday Workouts - Photos of 5 of the Belmont Stakes horses on the sloppy track in the rain Friday morning, including Mine That Bird. Get the details and photos here.
Belmont Contenders Weekend Workouts - Five of the likely entrants for next weekend's Belmont Stakes had timed works at Belmont Park on May 30-31, including Charitable Man and Dunkirk. Get the details and photos here.
Rachel Alexandra wins the Preakness - She led most of the way and was ahead by 4 at the top of the stretch, then held off Mine That Bird by a length. Musket Man was another 1/2 length back in third. Get the results, chart, and photos here.
Preakness undercard stakes results - There were 7 other stakes on the card, most of them grade 2 or 3, including the Dixie Stakes (G2) won by Parading.
Summerly and jockey Jerry Bailey with the Oaks winner's lilies.
