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.

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 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).