Big Names in Oaklawn’s G1 Apple Blossom

By Emily Shields

Six of the finest mares in America are gathered in the grade 1 Apple Blossom at Oaklawn Park, a 1 1/16 mile race worth $750,000. Betting opportunities abound in a race as hotly contested as this one.

#1 Elate (6-5) made her return to the races on March 16 in the Azeri Stakes (G2) here, over this same trip. She had been off since the Personal Ensign (G1) at Saratoga on August 25, but finished second by a length in her return. She has not won since the Delaware Handicap (G2) on July 14, which was her first start since the 2017 Breeders’ Cup Distaff at Del Mar. This is a multiple grade 1-winner who goes for trainer Bill Mott and jockey Jose Ortiz.

#2 Chocolate Martini (15-1) was a winner in her 2019 debut, which came over this trip. Before that she was fifth in consecutive grade 1 races at Keeneland and Parx. She hasn’t actually won since the Fair Grounds Oaks (G2) last March, but she always shows up at these big dances and runs her race from mid pack. She has worked two bullets since March 20.

#3 Escape Clause (5-1) is one of the positive stories in racing. The flashy five-year-old mare, bred in Manitoba, has been running in California since coming from Canada last fall. She won a $100,000 stake at Sunland last out over a mile, and was a grade 3 winner at Santa Anita two back. Dirt or turf, sprinting or routing, Escape Clause always shows up and sports a record of 20 wins in 30 starts.

#4 Viva Forever (30-1) is the outsider that last won an allowance at Parx three back. She was second in the Lady Bird at Gulfstream last out sprinting for trainer Peter Walder, but is four for eight at the distance.

#5 Wonder Gadot (6-1) will try to return to form. The class Mark Casse filly by Medaglia d’Oro was second by a head in the Kentucky Oaks last year before winning the Queen’s Plate and Prince of Wales over colts. She finished poorly in the Travers Stakes (G1) before returning to face fillies, but needed time off. She has since returned in a March 8 allowance, where she ran second, beaten just 1 ¼ behind a nice filly in Go Google Yourself.

#6 Midnight Bisou (7-5) was the horse that upset Elate in her Azeri Stakes return. Before that, the daughter of Midnight Lute won the Houston Ladies Classic (G3) in Texas and was third in the Breeders’ Cup Distaff. She is already a grade 1 winner from last season, and consistently runs well with the best. A good performance here will put her over $2 million in earnings.

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