Oaks Updates

WEST/ BALANCE ALTERS THE SCALE IN WEST COAST FILLY DIVISION - Amerman Racing LLC’s Balance, ridden by Victor Espinoza, cemented her position as one of the top fillies on the West Coast and a leading contender for the 132nd running of the Kentucky Oaks (Grade I) with one-length victory over Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies (GI) runner-up Wild Fit in Saturday’s $250,000 Las Virgenes (GI) at Santa Anita.

The victory was the first Grade I score for the daughter of 1995 Kentucky Derby winner Thunder Gulch trained by David Hofmans. It was her first race since an upset loss to Diplomat Lady in the Hollywood Starlet (GI) on Dec. 18.

Espinoza settled Balance just behind the pacesetters and took command of the Las Virgenes at the top of the lane. Wild Fit, who was racing for the first time since her runner-up finish to champion Folklore on Breeders’ Cup Day at Belmont Park, rallied boldly from the back of the pack but could not threaten the winner. She finished 2-¼ lengths ahead of third-place finisher Itty Bitty Pretty.

"She’s a very mature filly and she’s just coming into her own now," said Hofmans. "We gave her the time off because we gave her those races so quickly together. She had a couple real tough races so we thought we better skip one, give her that extra month and let her grow up."

Balance has now won three times in five career starts and earned $333,300.

The effort by Wild Fit pleased new trainer Patrick Biancone, who assumed training duties for the filly when she was purchased for $3 million at the Keeneland November Sale by Mrs. John Magnier, Michael Tabor and Derrick Smith.

"The winner was better today but we’ll build from here," said Biancone. "Before the race I was thinking that she would need that (this race). She ran a brave race and Alex gave her a beautiful ride. We’ll just have to move up from there. It’s a long year."

Balance and Wild Fit are expected to meet again in the Santa Anita Oaks (GI). The D. Wayne Lukas-trained Folklore is also expected in that March 12 affair.

Sierra Sweetie Takes California Breeders’ Cup Oaks - Favored Sierra Sweetie claimed her fourth career stakes win Saturday as she drew off in the stretch to score a 1 ¾-win in the $100,000 California Breeders’ Cup Oaks at Golden Gate Fields.

Ridden by apprentice Martin Garcia and trained by Jeff Bonde, the steady daughter of Old Topper ran her career mark to four wins - all in stakes company - with three seconds from just seven starts. The winner’s purse of $55,000 improved her career earnings to $290,400.

"This horse comes with her 'A' game every time," Bonde told the San Francisco Chronicle following the race. "She just overcomes everything and gets it done."

Private World was second and Bai and Bai finished third as Sierra Sweetie covered the 1 1/16-mile distance in 1:43.64. Bonde said his California-bred filly would be pointed toward the $500,000-added Kentucky Oaks and would get one additional start before the May 5 race at Churchill Downs. That prep would likely come in the Ashland Stakes (GI) at Keeneland on April 8 or the Fantasy Stakes (GII) at Oaklawn Park on April 14.

Sierra Sweetie is owned by a partnership of Peter Branagh, Jeff Shields, and George Schmitt, et al. The winner was one of four on the day for Garcia, a hot apprentice jockey who recently tied Northern California legend Russell Baze for the riding title at Bay Meadows.

EAST/UNBEATEN CELESTIAL LEGEND SURVIVES IN WIDE COUNTRY- Richard Shultz and David Menard’s Celestial Legend overcame a troubled trip to preserve her unbeaten record with a narrow victory in Saturday’s $75,000 Wide Country Stakes at Laurel Park.

Celestial Legend and jockey Erick Rodriguez squeezed through a small hole between the rail and front-running runner-up Cantora in the final furlong and surged to win by a nose. Sea Pines was 5 ¼-lengths back in third.

The chestnut daughter of City Zip went off as the 1-5 favorite in her first attempt past seven furlongs for trainer Dale Capuano. Four of Celestial Legend’s six victories have come in stakes races and all four have come at different distances.

"When you have the best horse you can overcome a lot," said Capuano. "I watched the stretch run on TV and I didn’t think she was going to get there. They had her pinned to the rail. But I’ve worked her past the second wire the last couple times - just to make sure she knew she had to keep going."

Whether Celestial Legend will make it to Churchill Downs for a run in the Kentucky Oaks has yet to be determined. But Capuano seemed to be leaning toward staying home for a run in Pimlico’s Black-Eyed Susan (GII) on May 19.

"We’ll play it by ear and see how she comes out of this one," said Capuano. "There aren’t many places for her to run in the short term. We’ll look for another spot for her in the next six weeks. (Beyond that) the Black-Eyed Susan looks good to me."

COMING KENTUCKY OAKS 132 PREP RACES

Feb. 18 - $75,000 Suncoast Stakes at Tampa Bay Downs (1 1/16 miles)
$50,000 Martha Washington at Oaklawn Park (mile)
Feb. 26 - $65,000 Busher Stakes at Aqueduct (1 1/16 miles)
Mar. 5 - $150,000 Bonnie Miss at Gulfstream Park (1 1/8 miles)
Mar. 5 - $150,000 Forward Gal at Gulfstream Park (seven furlongs)

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