November 20, 2024

Untapable draws post 13, installed as 4-5 choice in Kentucky Oaks

Last updated: 4/29/14 4:19 PM


140TH KENTUCKY OAKS

















PP   HORSE   TRAINER   JOCKEY   ODDS
1   Please Explain   Tom Proctor   Jose Lezcano   50-1
2   Ria Antonia   Bob Baffert   Mike Smith   10-1
3   Sugar Shock   Doug Anderson   Calvin Borel   12-1
4   Rosalind   Kenny McPeek   Joel Rosario   8-1
5   Thank You Marylou   Mike Maker   Julien Leparoux   30-1
6   Kiss Moon   David Vance   Jose Espinoza   30-1
7   Fashion Plate   Simon Callaghan   Gary Stevens   6-1
8   Aurelia’s Belle   Wayne Catalano   Channing Hill   50-1
9   Unbridled Forever   Dallas Stewart   Robby Albarado   12-1
10   Empress of Midway   Doug O’Neill   Corey Nakatani   50-1
11   My Miss Sophia   Todd Pletcher   Javier Castellano   8-1
12   Got Lucky   Todd Pletcher   John Velazquez   20-1
13   Untapable   Steve Asmussen   Rosie Napravnik   4-5


Untapable draws post 13, installed as 4-5 choice in
Kentucky Oaks










Untapable will be a
prohibitive favorite following her resounding victory in the
Fair Grounds Oaks

(Lou Hodges Jr./Hodges Photography)

Untapable, a dominant winner of the Fair Grounds Oaks and Rachel Alexandra in
two starts this year, is the overwhelming 4-5 favorite on the morning line in
Friday’s Grade 1, $1 million
Kentucky Oaks at Churchill Downs. But the imposing
three-year-old filly will have to overcome the far outside post position in the
13-horse field.

After opening her racing career with two straight wins at Churchill Downs,
including the Grade 2 Pocahontas last September, Untapable experienced a
troubled trip and was eased in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies. The Tapit
filly concluded her juvenile season with a third in the Grade 1 Hollywood
Starlet on Cushion Track.

Her form has improved significantly this year. After opening 2014 with a 9
1/2-length score in the Grade 3 Rachel Alexandra at Fair Grounds, Untapable
earned a 107 BRIS Speed rating for her 7 3/4-length triumph in the Fair Grounds
Oaks a month later. That number is greater that any Speed rating earned by a
Kentucky Derby contender.



Rosie Napravnik will retain the mount aboard the Steve Asmussen-trained bay.










Fashion Plate has captured
three straight in wire-to-wire fashion

(Cecilia Gustafson/Horsephotos.com)

Multiple Grade 1 winner Fashion Plate comes next on the morning line at 6-1.
A maiden winner on December 29 at Santa Anita, the daughter of Old Fashioned
proceeded to record Grade 1 tallies in the Las Virgenes and Santa Anita Oaks,
leading all the way each time. The Simon Callaghan trainee will show speed from
post 7 with Gary Stevens.

Rosalind, the dead-heat winner of the Grade 1 Ashland at Keeneland, and Grade
2 Gazelle heroine My Miss Sophia are each listed at 8-1. Joel Rosario pilots the
Kenny McPeek-conditioned Rosalind, a confirmed late runner. Javier Castellano
rides My Miss Sophia, a wire-to-wire scorer last time from the barn of leading
trainer Todd Pletcher, who will be trying to become the first trainer since D.
Wayne Lukas in 1989-90 (Open Mind and Seaside Attraction) to win the Oaks in
consecutive years.



Pletcher, who will also send out Gazelle and Rachel Alexandra runner-up Got
Lucky, saddled Princess of Sylmar to victory last year to boost his Oaks win
total to three. He also won the Oaks in 2004 with Ashado and in 2007 with Rags
to Riches.










Pletcher has two shots — My
Miss Sophia (right) and Got Lucky — at a second consecutive,
and fourth overall Oaks victory

(Lauren Pomeroy/Horsephotos.com)

Santa Anita Oaks runner-up Ria Antonia will make her second start for
two-time Oaks winner Bob
Baffert and rates as the early fifth choice at 10-1. She was placed first via
disqualification in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies and has Mike Smith named
to ride. Grade 3 Fantasy winner Sugar Shock and stakes-winning Fair Grounds Oaks
third-placer Unbridled Forever are both 12-1.

Rounding out the field are Ashland third-placer Thank You Marylou, a stakes winner at Gulfstream two back;
Grade 3 Bourbonette Oaks winner Aurelia’s Belle; Sunland Oaks runner-up Empress of Midway; and stakes queen Please Explain.

The roster of Oaks winners includes 26 that would be named champion
three-year-old filly at year’s end.

Ten Oaks champs are enshrined in horse racing’s Hall of Fame: Ashado (2004),
Bold ‘n Determined (1980), Cicada (1962), Dark Mirage (1968), Davona Dale
(1979), Princess Doreen (1924), Princess Rooney (1983), Real Delight (1952),
Silverbulletday (1999) and Susan’s Girl (1972).





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