Oaks News

Devil House will try to stretch her win streak to six in Friday's $100,000 Honeybee at Oaklawn Park.  In order to extend that streak she'll have to stretch her speed to 1 1/16 miles facing eight rivals.

William Stiritz's Devil House successfully stretched out to a mile last time in taking the Martha Washington, a one mile prep for the Honeybee.  She opened up a sizeable lead while setting a strong early pace before extending her advantage in the stretch to post a five length victory.  She benefited greatly when Cat On a Cloud, the race favorite and likely pace factor, stumbled and lost the rider early.  Devil House now sports five wins from six starts, including three stakes wins in a row.

The most serious challenge is likely to come from Cat On a Cloud, the afore mentioned fallen rival from the Martha Washington.  Cat On a Cloud offers the only other discernable speed in the race in what could set up as a torrid early duel between the two favorites.  That was the case in the Dixie Belle, a six furlongs stakes race held at Oaklawn Park in late January, when both fillies blazed through fractions of :22.00 for the first quarter-mile and :46.20 for the first half-mile.  Going six furlongs they were able to hold on to finish first and second.  It remains to be seen if they can replicate that effort going 1 1/16 miles.

If the favorites are softened by a fast pace the filly most likely to benefit would be High Heels, an eight length winner of an allowance race held at Oaklawn Park in January after closing from last.  She finished fifth last time out in the Silverbulletday (GIII) at Fair Grounds after being compromised by a soft early pace.  A more favorable pace scenario should see this filly closing fast at the end.

Another deep closer is Stage Stop, who's only career victory from nine starts came in the $100,000 La Senorita at Retama Park over the turf course.  She has finished second or third in seven of those nine starts and typically closes with a furious stretch rally.

The race is rounded out by Time's Mistress, Stellas New Groove, Light Lace, Miss Goodnight, and Grace Happens.

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