Recapping the Weekend’s Derby and Oaks Preps

By Emily Shields

The final Kentucky Derby and Oaks preps have been run, and now all eyes turn to Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky, for the big races in three weeks time. Oaklawn Park ran the lone Oaks prep of the week – the Fantasy – on Friday, April 12, and ran the males counterpart, the Arkansas Derby, a day later. Keeneland’s Lexington Stakes, which offers lower points to any last-chance hopefuls, was run an hour before the Arkansas Derby.

Kentucky Derby

Lexington Stakes (Keeneland) 20 – 8 – 4 – 2
Arkansas Derby (Oaklawn Park) 100 – 40 – 20 – 10

Before Omaha Beach and Improbable put on a show in the Arkansas Derby, the Lexington was run at Keeneland. Favored Anothertwistafate needed to win to secure a spot in the Kentucky Derby, but was bothered early and boxed in throughout much of the trip. Meanwhile, 12-1 Owendale ($27.40) rallied from second last on the outside to win by 1 ¾ lengths, with Anothertwistafate settling for second once finally clear. Sueno, who was also trying to break into the Derby, finished third, with Keeneland grade 1 winner Knicks Go fourth.

The winning rider was Florent Geroux for trainer Brad Cox. Owendale won’t make the Derby field, but the son of Into Mischief could be considered for other top sophomore races.

At Oaklawn Park in Hot Springs, Arkansas, the track was sloppy and a field of 11 were set for the $1 million Arkansas Derby (G1). A top field of contenders had assembled, with California invaders Omaha Beach and Improbable taking the top two spots in the wagering and ultimately the top two spots in the race. Omaha Beach took over the lead early on, and Improbable with blinkers on hooked him rounding the turn. Omaha Beach ($5.40) looked him in the eye and kicked on, grimly fighting down the lane to win by a length.

Mike Smith was up for trainer Richard Mandella, and now faces a tough choice as he is also the regular rider for Santa Anita Derby winner Roadster. The top two finishers were 5 ¾ lengths clear of third in the nine furlong race; Country House rallied from tenth to be third, a length ahead of longshot Laughing Fox. Galilean, well regarded coming into the race, finished fifth.

Kentucky Oaks

Fantasy Stakes (Oaklawn) 100 – 40 – 20 – 10 

The last Kentucky Oaks prep of the year went to Lady Apple ($21.60). The daughter of Curlin won the Fantasy Stakes (G3) for trainer Steve Asmussen under jockey Ricardo Santana, Jr. She defeated Motion Emotion in second and California shipper Brill for third. Lady Apple is unbeaten in three starts this year, having surely gone through conditions since breaking her maiden February 7. She is out of the graded stakes placed Clever Trick mare Miss Mary Apples.

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