With distance looming as a huge consideration, Irish-bred Lady Prancealot rates top billing among a field of eight sophomore fillies in Saturday’s Grade I, $300,000 American Oaks, to be contested at a mile and one quarter over the Santa Anita Park turf.
Trained by Richard Baltas, Lady Prancealot has been idle since rallying from off the pace to take the Grade III, 1 1/16 miles turf Valley View Stakes at Keeneland on Oct. 18.
In a race in which none of the contestants have ever run a mile and a quarter, trainer Michael McCarthy’s Vibrance, fresh off a close third place finish in the Grade III Red Carpet Stakes going 1 3/8 miles on turf at Del Mar Nov. 30, would appear to have a solid chance as well.
| Entry | Horse | ML Odds | Jockey | Trainer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | So Much Happy | 30-1 | Tiago Pereira 124 Lbs |
George Papaprodromou |
| 2 | Apache Princess | 5-1 | Javier Castellano 124 Lbs |
J. Desormeaux |
| 3 | Mucho Unusual | 4-1 | Joel Rosario 124 Lbs |
Tim Yakteen |
| 4 | K P Slickem | 15-1 | Jorge Velez 124 Lbs |
Jeff Mullins |
| 5 | Lady Prancealot (IRE) | 2-1 | Joe Bravo 124 Lbs |
Richard Baltas |
| 6 | Pretty Point | 30-1 | Mike Smith 124 Lbs |
Patrick Gallagher |
| 7 | Giza Goddess | 7-2 | Victor Espinoza 124 Lbs |
John Shirreffs |
| 8 | Vibrance | 3-1 | Abel Cedillo 124 Lbs |
Michael McCarthy |
LADY PRANCEALOT
Devoid of early foot, Lady Prancealot rallied from far back to be third, beaten 1 ¾ lengths three starts back in the Grade I Del Mar Oaks at 1 1/8 miles on turf. Subsequently an even sixth in the ungraded Jockey Club Invitational Oaks going 1 3/8 miles on turf at Belmont Park Sept. 7, she then rallied from far back to win the Valley View at Keeneland when ridden for the first time by veteran Joe Bravo, who has the assignment on Saturday.
With a 2019 resume that reads 7-3-1-2, a win in the Grade I Oaks would cap a tremendous year.
Owner: Jules Iavarone, Michael Iavarone & Jerry McClanahan | Trainer: Richard Baltas
VIBRANCE
Graded stakes placed on both dirt and turf, this Louisiana-bred filly by Violence will like make or attend to the early lead. Fresh off a solid third, beaten 1 ½ lengths in the 1 3/8 miles turf Red Carpet, she appears capable of acting at the Oaks distance and brings a solid, consistent form to the table.
With a 2019 resume that reads 7-3-1-2, a win in the Grade I Oaks would cap a tremendous year.
Owner: Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners & Donna & Jim Daniell | Trainer: Michael McCarthy
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