The $1,000,000 Kentucky Oaks (G1) is the premier race in the country for 3-year-old fillies, and is the female counterpart to the Kentucky Derby. A field of 13 went to post in this 1 1/8 mile main track feature at Churchill Downs on Friday before 110,122, the third highest Oaks attendance in history. Joyful Victory was sent off as the 2-1 favorite off two straight wins at Oaklawn, the Honeybee (G3) and the Fantasy (G2). In to challenge her included 7-2 second choice Zazu, winner of the Las Virgenes (G1) before finishing a close second in the Santa Anita Oaks (G1), and 4-1 third choice Kathmanblu, third in the Ashland (G1) after winning the Rachel Alexandra (G3).
Plum Pretty leads down the stretch.
Jockey Gabriel Saez sent 14-1 Summer Soiree to the front first time past the stands and she set fractions of 23.65 46.99, and 1:11.25 while loose on the lead as many as 3 1/2 lengths ahead of 6-1 Plum Pretty who stalked her in second. Entering the stretch, Summer Soiree tired badly allowing Plum Pretty to inherit the lead at the 1/4 pole and opening up by 3 lengths at the 1/8 pole through a mile in 1:36.41. 16-1 St. John's River, who was 12th early, put in a strong late rally 6 wide but Plum Pretty held her off to get the win by a neck in 1:49.50 over the fast track. It was another 2 1/2 lengths back to Zazu third, while favorite Joyful Victory was another 1/2 length back 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.
Pgm Horse Jockey Win Place Show
12 Plum Pretty Bejarano 14.60 7.00 4.60
13 St. John's River Desormeaux 13.20 7.20
6 Zazu Borel 4.00
Winning Time: 1:49.50
$2 Exacta 12-13 163.00
$2 Trifecta 12-13-6 831.60
$2 Superfecta 12-13-8-1 4,110.20
$1 Super High Five 12-13-6-1-8 44,539.40
Left: Plum Pretty circles with her flowers before entering the winner's circle. Her trainer Bob Baffert said, "That was awesome. We hoped she'd run like
that. She thought she was at Sunland Park. The filly has been a gift to us. When I saw her coming down the stretch, I said, 'My goodness.' It’s been a long time between drinks with Silverbulletday. You’ve got to enjoy these moments."
Right: Plum Pretty heads back to the barn after the race. Her owner John Fort said, "I can say that the last half-hour has been the most emotional, most exciting, and most gratifying moments of my life."
Left: Plum Pretty parades for the fans after the race. Her jockey Martin Garcia said, "Great trip. Great filly. I couldn't have asked for more. She has relaxed so well for me in the mornings. When I ask her to go, she just takes off. When I got to the quarter pole, I had so much horse. That was a very impressive win by her."
Right: Plum Pretty in the post parade.
Left: Plum Pretty heads into the paddock before the race.
Right: Second place finisher St. John's River in the post parade. Her jockey Rosie Napravnik said, "She must not have been square because it was just an awkward step first out (hit the side of the starting gate stall). Not having that good break, I decided to angle over and see what we could do from there. We got such a perfect trip down on the rail. Down the lane I'm thinking my first Grade 1, I'm thinking a million dollars, I'm thinking Kentucky Oaks, I'm thinking Girl Power in the Oaks. It was such a disappointing loss, but you can't take anything away from the filly. She ran so well."
Left: Third place finisher Zazu after the race. Her trainer John Sadler said, "It was a good strong race for her and we're pleased. She didn't have the best of trips. That first turn got jammed up pretty good with that big field. But she kept on and she was finishing well at the finish. That was very encouraging. All in all, we're very proud of her."
Right: Fourth place finisher and beaten favorite Joyful Victory in the post parade. Her jockey Mike Smith said, "I would have liked to have been on the outside. It would have helped her because she is a big ol' filly. She likes to get her legs stretched out and I wasn't able to do that. I tried to kick on and she did for a couple of jumps but she didn't stay on. It was tight early on though. I would have had to really fight and bang around to try and get out early but I thought I would waste too much energy doing that. I rode her with confidence, had her clear going for home but just didn't have enough horse."
The Oaks field goes by shortly after the start with Summer Soiree in front and eventual winner Plum Pretty second. Summer Soiree's trainer Graham Motion said, "I think when she got bumped coming out of the gate I kind of knew we were in trouble because that was sure to make her very aggressive. That's kind of what happened. My hope was that he could kind of sneak away from there and keep her relaxed, but it wasn't to be. The bump was enough to get her very on the muscle. I think Gabriel (Saez) felt like he had her, but when she got bumped he was in trouble."
Triple Crown quick links:
Oxbow upsets in the Preakness - Oxbow led the entire way in the Preakness Stakes (G1) on Saturday at Pimlico with Itsmyluckyday second and Mylute third. Heavy favorite Orb made a mild move to finish fourth. Get the results, charts, and photos here.
Preakness undercard stakes results - There were 7 other stakes on the card, highlighted by the Dixie Stakes (G2) won by Skyring and the Allaire DuPont Distaff Stakes (G3) won by Summer Applause. Get the results, charts, and photos for 6 of the races here.
Fiftyshadesofhay wins the Black-Eyed Susan - Fiftyshadesofhay just got up to win the Black-Eyed Susan Stakes (G2) on Friday at Pimlico by a neck over Marathon Lady with favorite Emollient 6th. On the undercard, Last Gunfighter won the Pimlico Special (G3). Get the results, charts, and photos here.
Analyzing the Preakness Stakes Contenders for 2013 - My annual analysis using popular angles and statistical trends to see who best matches the profile of a Preakness winner. The big surprise is that Kentucky Derby winner Orb is not in the top group!
Orb wins the Kentucky Derby - Orb was far back early but took the lead in the stretch and drew off to win the Kentucky Derby (G1) by 2 1/2 lengths over longshot Golden Soul and Revolutionary. Get the results, charts, and photos here.
More Kentucky Derby Photos - More photos from the day including more of Orb, the trophy, the roses, Martina McBride, and lots of mud.
Kentucky Derby undercard stakes results - There were 5 other stakes on Derby day including the Woodford Reserve Turf Classic (G1) won by 2012 Horse of the Year Wise Dan and the Humana Distaff Stakes (G1) won by Aubby K. Get the results, charts, and photos for all 5 races here.
Princess of Sylmar upsets in the Kentucky Oaks - She rallied from far back to win the Kentucky Oaks by a half length over Beholder and Unlimited Budget, while favorite Dreaming of Julia was fourth. Get the results, chart, and photos here.
Kentucky Oaks undercard stakes results - There were 5 other stakes on Oaks day including the La Troienne Stakes (G2) won by Authenticity and the Alysheba Stakes (G3) won by Take Charge Indy. Get the results, charts, and photos for all 5 races here.
Wednesday Kentucky Derby Workout Photos - Photos and comments for 18 Derby horses, everyone on the grounds except the one in quarantine, and 6 Oaks fillies from this morning on the track.
Kentucky Oaks Entries - A field of 11 fillies will go, with Gulfstream Oaks winner Dreaming of Julia favorite at 3-1 from post 8. Get the post positions, odds, and free past performances here.
Top Kentucky Derby Contenders - my list of the top horses headed to the Derby with profiles for each with photos, stats, and link to more info like past performances and pedigree.
Analyzing the top 2013 Kentucky Derby contenders - My annual analysis of the top contenders to try and select a winner by matching each to the profile of a Kentucky Derby winner using many of the more popular angles and statistical trends. This year there were is a 3-way tie for the top spot: Goldencents, Normandy Invasion, and Overanalyze.
2013 Kentucky Derby And Oaks Security - New enhanced stricter rules will be enforced this year. Be sure to read the rules as many have changed and more things are banned. There will still be magnetic wand searches of all patrons and many things are no longer allowed. Check here to make sure you don't bring anything they will confiscate.
Review: Triple Crown Handicapper 2013 - by Jim Mazur. Includes lots of stats for all 3 races and explains how to use a system of statistically derived negative angles to eliminate the "bad" picks.
Review: Kentucky Derby Greatest Moments - Commemorative DVD from Churchill Downs with video from 27 different runnings along with interviews, photos, and historical info. Definitely recommended for any racing fan!
Review: Churchill Downs - America's Most Historic Racetrack by Kimberly Gatto. An entertaining and informative account of the history of the track and it's most famous race, the Kentucky Derby, with lots of photos. Definitely recommended.
