Kentucky Oaks (G1) vixen PLUM PRETTY (Medaglia d’Oro) and Joyful Victory
(Tapit), fourth as the 2-1 favorite in the Oaks, were originally scheduled to
face off for a second straight time on Saturday in the Mother Goose S. (G1) at
Belmont Park.
However, after spiking a temperature earlier this week, Plum Pretty stayed at
her California base and instead will take on Kentucky Oaks third ZAZU (Tapit) in
the $150,000
Hollywood Oaks (G2) going 1 1/16 miles on the same day. The Bob Baffert
trainee will now meet only four rivals at Hollywood Park in her first race back
since surprising the Kentucky Oaks with a neck score.
Plum Pretty romped by 25 lengths in the Sunland Park Oaks in New Mexico prior
to her run under the Twin Spires, but the bay lass actually began her career
during the Oak Tree meet that took place at Hollywood last October. She captured
her maiden debut by a head over the Cushion Track, then made her sophomore bow
in the Santa Ynez S. (G2) at Santa Anita, finishing third. Another third, this
time in the Las Virgenes S. (G1), followed, and Plum Pretty made her first trip
outside of California when showing up at Sunland Park to dominate in her first
race past a mile.
Martin Garcia has the call on Saturday aboard Plum Pretty, who will tote the
top weight of 123 pounds
Zazu was the second favorite in the Kentucky Oaks at 7-2, and put in a game
rally to close from the rear and be third by 2 3/4 lengths. She actually beat
Plum Pretty by 5 1/2 lengths when taking the Las Virgenes, and followed that
race with a neck second in the Santa Anita Oaks (G1). The John Sadler charge
also began her career on Hollywood’s Cushion Track, and keeps regular rider Joel
Rosario aboard.
While Plum Pretty and Zazu are the top draws in the Hollywood Oaks, BIG TIZ
(Tiznow) has a shot to upset the applecart after a runner-up finish in the
Railbird S. (G3) over the track. The Mark Glatt pupil was second behind
Turbulent Descent (Congrats) in the Hollywood Starlet (G1) going the 8
1/2-furlong distance, and gets a 10-pound weight break from Plum Pretty. Patrick
Valenzuela retains the mounts.
LOVE THEWAY YOUARE (Arch), a well-beaten fourth in the Black-Eyed Susan S.
(G2) last out, will be trying the Cushion Track for only the third time, while
dual turf stakes-placed WALLSTREETER (Street Cry [Ire]) was far back in her only
two tries on the synthetic surface.