Oaks Updates

EAST/BOCA GRANDE BOUNCES BACK IN AQUEDUCT'S COMELY - Phipps Stable's Boca Grande overhauled pacesetting favorite Perfect Forest near the top of the stretch and pulled away to win Saturday's $150,000 Comely Stakes (GIII) at Aqueduct by 1 ½ lengths.

The daughter of A.P. Indy, who won the Demoiselle (GII) over the same track last fall, bounced back from a sixth-place finish in her 2007 debut in the Forward Gal (GII) at Gulfstream Park. Winning Point rallied after a poor start to edge Perfect Forest for the runner-up spot.

Boca Grande, who is trained by Shug McGaughey and was ridden by Mike Smith, covered the mile over a "fast" track in a winning time of 1:36.40.

"I'm tickled to death that she redeemed herself," said McGaughey. "She's nominated to the Kentucky Oaks. Whether we go there or not, who knows? I think the more time we give her, the better she's going to be."

Boca Grande won for the third time in five races and has earned $241,100.

MIDWEST/OAKS FAVORITE RAGS TO RICHES WORKS WITH CIRCULAR QUAY - The favorite for the 133rd running of the Kentucky Oaks worked in company on Sunday at Keeneland with a stablemate who is targeted for the Kentucky Derby.
Derrick Smith and Michael Tabor's Rags to Riches, a 3-2 favorite to win the Kentucky Oaks when Pool 3 of the Kentucky Oaks Future Wager concluded on Sunday, breezed six furlongs over Polytrack with Circular Quay, the winner of the Louisiana Derby (GII). The two 3-year-olds covered the distance in 1:13.40 for trainer Todd Pletcher.

"I'm very pleased," said Pletcher. "Both horses were well in hand."

Rags to Riches, a 3-year-old daughter of A.P. Indy, has compiled a three-race winning streak that includes the Las Virgenes (GI) and Santa Anita Oaks (GI) at Santa Anita.

WEST/HOLLENDORFER WINS AT BAY MEADOWS, BUT WINNER IS A MILD SURPRISE - Northern California training legend Jerry Hollendorfer saddled three of the four fillies that broke from the starting gate in Saturday's $75,000 California Breeders' Cup Oaks at Bay Meadows, but he won the race with the least respected member of his trio.

Round Trip Flight, the third choice behind two stablemates in the race, rallied from last to win by two lengths under jockey Joel Rosario. The Hollendorfer-trained duo of Glorification and Eastlake Avenue finished second and third, respectively.

"I wouldn't run her in a race like this just to put her in," said Hollendorfer. "I always try to enter with the intention of winning."

Jungle Girl was fourth. Pinata was a late scratch.

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