Two of Descapate's rivals are based at Oaklawn. Pippin Stakes winner Red N Gold and 2000 Juvenile Fillies Champion Caressing. Search Party ships in from Florida for her last career start, and Ask Me No Secrets makes the trip East from California.
Trainer Steve Asmussen will saddle the favorite, Descapate, in Saturday's $100,000 Oaklawn Breeders' Cup Handicap at Oaklawn Park, which serves as a major prep for fillies and mares pointing toward the 1 1/16 mile Apple Blossom Handicap (gr. I) on April 6. Descapate is 4-1-1 from six starts, and is fresh off a seven-length blowout victory in the Chou Croute Handicap at Fair Grounds.