Grade 3-placed ALL DUE RESPECT (Value Plus) is expected to challenge
three-time Grade 1 queen BLIND LUCK (Pollard’s Vision) in Saturday’s $250,000
Santa Anita Oaks (G1) at 1 1/16 miles over Santa Anita’s Pro-Ride.
The Florida-bred filly broke
her maiden by 7 1/2 lengths on a muddy Fair Grounds track going the distance on
January 24 for trainer Ronny Werner. She has since been transferred to
conditioner Kathy Walsh.
“I’ve only had her a few weeks,” Walsh said, “but she’s doing well
and she worked
Friday in 1:11 4/5.”
That move came over Hollywood Park’s Cushion Track and was awarded the
bullet, fastest of 15
drills at the distance.
“The maiden win was impressive,” Walsh continued, “but I think her best race might
have been a third to
Sassy Image (Broken Vow) and Decelerator (Dehere) in the Pocahontas ([G3] at Churchill Downs
on November 1).”
All Due Respect followed up her Pocahontas run with a fifth in the Golden Rod
S. (G2) in her two-turn debut. The dark bay lass also placed in the N.A.T.C.
Futurity at Monmouth Park last season.
Garrett Gomez has been named to ride All Due Respect in the Santa Anita Oaks.
Probable for the race are All Due Respect, Gomez; Blind Luck,
Rafael Bejarano; COZI ROSIE (Pleasantly Perfect), Mike Smith; CRISP (El
Corredor), Joel Rosario; and EVENING JEWEL (Northern Afleet), Victor Espinoza.