Spain Tops Competitive Apple Blossom Field

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From Oaklawn Park
If it were just that Heritage of Gold and Lu Ravi were continuing their rivalry in Sunday's $500,000 Apple Blossom, that would be enough of a story, but this race may very well be the best filly and mare race in the country this year.

Heritage of Gold and Lu Ravi have finished one-two, in that order, in all three of their Oaklawn meetings, but this time they will have to face Breeders' Cup Distaff winner Spain, who has to carry the topweight of 122 pounds.

Besides Spain, five more distaffers flew in for this race and Dreams Gallore vanned up from New Orleans. Two local hopefuls, Asher and Ive Gota Bad Liver, complete the cast for this Broadway play.

"I can't believe this race, it won't be an easy one at all," said Tom Amoss, trainer of Heritage of Gold. "I think I'm in the Breeders' Cup Distaff again."

Amoss was in town to oversee the last minute preparations for the Apple Blossom and three of his other Racing Festival of the South charges.

Gold for My Gal, who is trained by Manuel Estevez, was fifth in the Oaklawn Breeders'

Cup in March. She won the Fair Grounds' Truly Bound Handicap in January.

Trainer Bill Mott brought Bordelaise from Florida, where she has a second in an allowance race this year. Twelve-time Oaklawn riding champion Pat Day will be in to ride Bordelaise.

Lazy Slusan, who defeated Spain in the recent Santa Margarita at Santa Anita, made the trip, as did Critikola, the Argentina-bred miss who finished third that day.

Owner Gary Tanaka has a pair in the Apple Blossom who will be coupled, though they have different trainers. Dreams Gallore, coming from New Orleans, is trained by Steve Asmussen and Gourmet Girl, in from California, is trained by Pico Perdomo.

Here is the field for the 36th running of the Apple Blossom:

Asher Sid LeJeune 110
Gold for My Gal Joe Judice 111
Gourmet Gal Calvin Borel 112
Critikola Laffit Pincay 113
Ive Gota Bad Liver Tim Doocy 110
Lu Ravi Lonnie Meche 114
Spain Victor Espinoza 122
Dreams Gallore Donnie Meche 115
Heritage of Gold Robby Albarado 120
Lazy Slusan David Flores 116
Bordelaise Pat Day 114

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