Oaks Updates

SOUTHEAST/CRYSTAL CURRENT PREPS FOR FLORIDA OAKS - Kinsman Stable's homebred Crystal Current tuned up for a run in Saturday's $200,000 Florida Oaks at Tampa Bay Downs with a Monday breeze at Florida's Payson Park.

The Bill Mott-trained daughter of A.P. Indy covered the distance in 50.20, which ranked as the 11th fastest of 26 half-mile moves on the day.

Crystal Current won the Suncoast at Tampa Bay in her most recent start.

WEST/BALANCE DOMINATES IN SANTA ANITA OAKS - Amerman Racing's Balance ($5.20) was all but co-favored with Wild Fit in Sunday's 67th running of the $300,000 Santa Anita Oaks (Grade I), but the 3-year-old daughter of 1995 Kentucky Derby winner Thunder Gulch made sure that it was no contest at the finish.

The David Hofmans-trained filly became a solid favorite for the $500,000-added Kentucky Oaks (GI) on May 5 when she rallied from seventh and drew off from 27-1 longshot Quiet Kim to score a 2 ½-length victory. The Kentucky-bred filly overcame a wide journey under jockey Victor Espinoza to cover the 1 1/16-mile distance over a "fast" track in 1:42.99.

"She's such an awesome filly, losing ground really doesn't make a difference," said Espinoza. "She was excellent today. She's finishing up like a champion in her races."

"She's the best 3-year-old filly I've had," Hofmans said. "I'm very impressed with her."

Wild Fit, the runner-up to Balance in the Las Virgenes in her first start of the year, was narrowly favored in the Santa Anita Oaks, but could not keep up when Balance launched her winning rally. She finished third under jockey Alex Solis, three lengths behind the runner-up.

"My filly ran good," said trainer Patrick Biancone. "She was beaten by a better filly. There's not much excuse."

Diplomat Lady, who defeated Balance in the Hollywood Starlet (GI), finished fourth.

Balance now has four wins in six races - with one loss coming via disqualification. The Santa Anita Oaks win pushed her career earnings to $513,300.

SOUTH/WERNER POINTS ERMINE TO HONEYBEE - Trainer Ronny Werner has had an eventful spring with Ermine, but he hopes the 3-year-old filly will prove her quality in Oaklawn Park's $75,000 Honeybee Stakes on March 25.

Ermine is coming off a three-length maiden victory at 1 1/16 miles on Feb. 16. The result was happier than that of her previous race, in which Ermine appeared headed for an easy win, but ducked in and dumped jockey Francisco Torres when he hit the filly with his right hand.

Werner said the daughter of Exchange Rate had not previously displayed that type of behavior.

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