Zultanite Can Break Through in Virginia Oaks

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Zultanite, coming off a pair of strong graded stakes turf efforts, should start a strong favorite in the $150,000 Virginia Oaks (gr. IIIT) on the turf at Colonial Downs July 21.

Four of the seven entrants in the 1 1/8-mile Virginia Oaks are exiting maiden victories. The Oaks, which precedes the $600,000 Virginia Derby (gr. IIT) on the Colonial Downs card, is the eighth race with an 8:04 p.m. EDT probable post.

Zultanite is a daughter of El Corredor   trained by David Donk for owners William J. Punk and Philip Dileo. The dark bay or brown filly is coming off a runner-up finish to Dancing Solo in the Boiling Springs Stakes (gr. IIIT) on the Monmouth Park turf June 23. Prior to that, Zultanite made her stakes debut in the Sands Point (gr. IIT), finishing third at 23-1 odds while just a neck behind victorious Better Lucky May 28 on the Belmont Park inner turf course. 

Both of Zultanite's preps for the Virginia Oaks were at 1 1/16 miles. Ramon Dominguez has the call on the $57,000 yearling purchase.

Landaluce Educe Stables' Volcat is the only starter in the field with a win on grass at nine furlongs. The Ken McPeek-trained daughter of After Market   won a first-level allowance race at Churchill Downs impressively on the front end June 22. Robby Albarado will ride for the first time.

Filare l'Oro ran fourth in a minor stakes on the turf at Delaware Park in her last start July 11. The Hard Spun   filly is trained by John Robb for owner Tim E. O'Donohue.

Roger McDaniel's homebred Julia's Star was a last-out maiden graduate June 9 on the grass at Churchill Downs for trainer JoanScott. She'll be piloted by leading Colonial rider Sheldon Russell.

Also scoring her first win against maidens was Augustin Stable's Ski Holiday, who tallied at Parx Racing for trainer Graham Motion in her first route try at 1 1/16 miles June 17.

Boastful Dancer broke her maiden at first asking on the Colonial Downs turf going 5 1/2 furlongs July 13 and wheels back eight days later. My Precious Secret broke her maiden on the grass at Colonial as well competing at the $25,000 claiming level last month.

$150,000 Virginia Oaks (gr. IIIT, Race 8, 8:04 p.m.), 3YO Fillies, 1 1/8 Miles (Turf)
PP. Horse, Jockey, Trainer
1. Julia's Star (KY), S Russell, 116, J Scott
2. Zultanite (KY), R A Dominguez, 116, D G Donk
3. Filare l'Oro (KY), W Ho, 116, J J Robb
4. Boastful Dancer (FL), A Delgado, 116, B R Baker
5. Ski Holiday (PA), A Garcia, 116, H G Motion
6. Volcat (KY), R Albarado, 116, K G McPeek
7. My Precious Secret (PA), I Sabol, 116, A F D'Angelo Jr.
All assigned 116 pounds.