Upset Honeybee Stakes (G3) winner Lemon Muffin remains on track to make her next start in Oaklawn Park‘s $750,000 Fantasy Stakes (G2) March 30.
The 1 1/16-mile Fantasy is Oaklawn’s third and final Kentucky Oaks (G1) qualifying race. The Fantasy will offer 200 points to its top five finishers (100-50-25-15-10, respectively) toward starting eligibility for the May 3 Kentucky Oaks.
Lemon Muffin banked 50 qualifying points for her upset maiden-breaking victory in the Feb. 24 Honeybee. Let go at odds of 28-1 in the Honeybee, the Collected filly rolled home by 3 1/2 lengths under jockey Keith Asmussen.
“She came out of it (well),” Lukas said of Lemon Muffin. “She’s really a nice horse to have in the barn because she’s strong and tough—carries her weight. A lot of these fillies, if you start getting in these tough races leading to the Oaks, even Secret Oath lightened up and we kind of had to manage her. This filly, she looks like a stud colt every day. I don’t know if there’s any back up to her.”
Lukas has won the Kentucky Oaks a record-tying five times, including in 2022 with Oaklawn-based Secret Oath , who also captured the Honeybee.
Lemon Muffin was Lukas’ record-extending seventh Honeybee victory and the first career graded stakes win for jockey Asmussen, 25, the son of Hall of Fame trainer Steve Asmussen.
Lukas said Asmussen, Oaklawn’s second-leading rider this season, will retain the mount for the Fantasy.
“I’m going to leave Keith on her,” Lukas said. “Some people roll their eyes that she might be 1-2-3 in the choices for the Oaks. Her (speed) numbers say she’s number one, if you take Rag numbers or another service. I think she’s right there. He’s done nothing wrong but ride her perfect. So, why would I worry about that?”
Lemon Muffin had her first breeze back since the Honeybee March 6, recording a :48 3/5 half-mile.
West Omaha , third as the beaten favorite in the Honeybee, is also targeting the Fantasy for trainer Brad Cox, who won the 2023 Fantasy with Wet Paint . West Omaha had previously captured the $145,500 Silverbulletday Stakes Jan. 20 at Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots.
Entries will be taken and post positions drawn March 24 for the Fantasy, which has a record purse in 2024 after being worth $600,000 the last three years.
This press release has been edited for content and style by BloodHorse Staff.
Leave feedback about this