Fourteen Top Fillies Invited to American Oaks

(from Hollywood Park notes)
Fourteen 3-year-old fillies from around the world were extended invitations Sunday for the $750,000 American Oaks (gr. IT) on July 3.

Horses from Japan, Ireland, England, and Italy were invited by Hollywood Park racing secretary Martin Panza, as well as United States representatives from California, New York, and Kentucky. The grade I Oaks, in its fourth year, will be run at 1 1/4 miles on turf.

Heading the international list are Japanese Oaks (Jpn-I) winner Cesario, Italian One Thousand Guineas (Ity-I) winner Silver Cup, Coronation Stakes (Eng-I) runner-up Karen's Caper from England, and the Irish-based duo of Luas Line, third-place finisher in the Irish One Thousand Guineas (Ire-I), and Silk and Scarlet.

Three Degrees, winner of the Honeymoon Breeders' Cup Handicap (gr. IIT) at Hollywood Park on June 5, heads the list of California invitees. Also invited are Honeymoon runners-up Thatswhatimean and Isla Cozzene, Hollywood Starlet (gr. I) winner Splendid Blended, Miesque Stakes division winner and Hollywood Breeders' Cup Oaks (gr. II) runner-up Memorette.

Unbeaten Melhor Ainda, winner of the Sands Point Stakes (gr. IIIT) at Belmont Park in her last start on June 5, was invited, as well as Sands Point runner-up Laurafina. Grat, winner of an allowance race at Churchill Downs in her last start on May 21, completes the list.

Three Degrees and Thatswhatimean both worked at Hollywood Park Sunday.

"I'll work her again once more next weekend," said trainer Paddy Gallagher after Three Degrees breezed four furlongs in :49 1/5 on the grass under exercise rider Theresa Black.

Thatswhatimean worked six furlongs in 1:14 1/5 on the main track for the Warren Stute stable.

Cesario is scheduled to be flown here from Japan on Monday and clear quarantine on Wednesday.

Cindy Niemetz, West Coast representative of the International Racing Bureau, said that Luas Line and Silver Cup would both be coming. Niemetz said that David Wachman, trainer of Luas Line, and Giuseppe Botti, trainer of Silver Cup, were both in the process of making flight arrangements.