Lillies Awaits Top Fillies: Grace Hall, Zo Impressive set On Fire Baby
The “Lillies for the Fillies” is also as aged and traditionally rich as is the Kentucky Derby. Constituting the first leg of the Triple Tiara of Thoroughbred Racing, the Kentucky Oaks is run a day prior to the big “Run for the Roses” and is specifically staged to showcase the top three year old fillies for the American racing season.
The race has evolved over the years and what started as a one a half mile of aggressive quest for lilies has now toned down to a mile and one eighth after having swayed to mile and one sixteenth on two occasions when they lasted for a few decades. Since 1982, the distance has been consistent at 1 1/8 and the weight at 121 pounds.
The first ever winner for the Oaks in 1875 was Vinaigrette who won the mile and a half distance clocking a decent 2:39 3/4.
This year, the top three starters as of now, when we are left with three more weeks of prep races to conclude, three fillies have shown their consent on participating in the “Lillies for the Fillies.”
The most impressive contention comes from the Smoke Glacken filly, On Fire Baby who has recently listed herself as the winner of the Grade 3 Honeybee Stakes, at Oaklawn. Of her six starts, On Fire Baby has also won the Grade 2 Pocahontas Stakes and the Golden Rod Stakes which have ‘boomerang-ed’ her into the top favourites for the season’s Oaks. The filly is owned by Anita Cauley and is trained by Gary Hartlage.
Also starting is Hard Spun’s daughter, Zo Impressive. Her dam Zoftig was by the Irish sire and Breeder’s Cup Mile winner, Cozzene. Though never raced in her two year old season, Zo Impressive has never finished out of money winning two of her three starts. Her last race, the Grade 2 Gulfstream Oaks Stakes witnessed her striving to keep pace with the race lead, Grace Hall though an unforeseen bump with Hearts of Red pushed her wide eventually jeopardizing her chances to run down the winner. Zo finished six and a half lengths behind the race lead.
Grace Hall, the third probable for the Kentucky Oaks has last finished leading the Gulfstream Oaks to victory and has previously won Grade 1 Spinaway Stakes as a two year old. Runner up of the Breeder’s Cup Juvenile, finishing next to My Miss Aurelia by three lengths, Grace Hall is one of the top fillies on the lookout list of bettors and race experts. The Empire Maker filly is a promising young three year old from the Anthony Dutrow brigade and riden by Javier Castellano.
With My Miss Aurelia yet to make a start this season, it’s unclear who else have placed the Oaks on their radar. We will keep you posted regarding this.
Until then, check out our other latest feeds on the racing season and the various campaigns in the running. Check out latest Triple Crown news, horse statistics and much more. Also, find our online racing games and join our community of followers of Horse Racing Fantasy, the one virtual gaming platform that breathes life into simulated 3D thoroughbred racing. For more details, log on to www.horseracegame.com.
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