Elloluv and Lady Tak, the one-two finishers in the Ashland Stakes (gr. I) last time out, are among a strong field of 12 3-year-old fillies entered for Friday's Kentucky Oaks (gr. I) at Churchill Downs.
Lady Tak suffered her first loss in six career starts in the Ashland after finishing second by 3 3/4-lengths to the front-running Elloluv. By Gilded Time, Elloluv made her first six career starts all in Southern California, with her biggest win being a four-length win over the highly-regarded Composure to close out her juvenile campaign.
Elloluv came back to win the Santa Ynez Stakes (gr. II) at Santa Anita to kick off her sophomore campaign, then was runner-up to Composure, who has since been retired, in both the Las Virgenes Stakes (gr. I) and Santa Anita Oaks (gr. I) prior to the Ashland.
Owned by Paul Reddam and trained by Craig Dollase, Elloluv has hit the board in all seven career starts with four wins and has earnings of $774,785.
Heiligbrodt Racing Stable's Lady Tak reeled off five straight wins to begin her career, including wins against maiden and allowance company at Churchill Downs as a 2-year-old, before losing the Ashland. The daughter of Mutakddim won the Thelma Stakes, Tiffany Lass Stakes, and Fair Grounds Oaks (gr. II), all at Fair Grounds, prior to the Ashland.
Lady Tak has earned $466,270 for trainer Steve Asmussen.
Shipping in from California is Bob and Beverly Lewis's Santa Catarina for trainer Bob Baffert. The daughter of Unbridled ended her juvenile season with a third-place finish in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies (gr. I) and has made just one start this year -- a five-length romp in an optional claiming race at Santa Anita March 12.
The field for the Oaks in post position order with jockey. All starters to carry 121 pounds.
PP, Horse, Jockey, ML
1. Elloluv, Robby Albarado, 5-2
2. My Boston Gal, Pat Day, 4-1
3. Go for Glamour, Alex Solis, 20-1
4. Holiday Lady, Jose Santos, 20-1
5. Bird Town, Edgar Prado, 10-1
6. Yell, John Velazquez, 8-1
7. Lady Tak, Jerry Bailey, 4-1
8. Atlantic Ocean, David Flores, 10-1
9. Tempus Fugit, Shane Sellers, 50-1
10. In Case of Wind, Calvin Borel, 50-1
11. Santa Catarina, Gary Stevens, 9-2
12. Island Fashion, Pat Valenzuela, 30-1
