Oaks News

The U.A.E. Derby (Grade 2) was created as what Godolphin hoped would be the most important and prestigious Kentucky Derby prep race held outside of the United States.  This year Godolphin is hoping it can launch their highly prized 3-year-old filly Folk to success in the Kentucky Oaks.

Godolphin purchased Folk after a flashy 10 ¼-length maiden victory at Aqueduct in her third career start.  Racing in Godolphin's signature royal blue silks, Folk has annexed a paid of highly prized races (the U.A.E. 1000 Guineas & the U.A.E. Oaks) by a combined 9 ¾-lengths.  Each came at the expense of members of her own sex and she now tackles open company as her connections attempt to gauge her talent level.

As Rags to Riches has captured every domestic headline in regards to the Kentucky Oaks, Folk has become something of a dark horse candidate for the race.  Many feel that there is no competition in America that can defeat Rags to Riches, but Folk has been untested overseas and could come to America as the second choice for the Kentucky Oaks with a strong effort in this race.

She takes on considerably tougher competition in the form of Asiatic Boy, Eu Tambem, and stablemate Day Pass.  Asiatic Boy and Eu Tambem are each southern hemisphere 3-year-olds (considered to be 4-year-olds in the northern hemisphere) and bring flashy win streaks into the race.  Day Pass, also owned by Godolphin, hopes to punch his ticket to the Kentucky Derby with a strong effort in this race.

The race will be run at 10:15 AM Eastern Daylight Time and carries graded earnings.  Discreet Cat won this race last year and runs later on the same card in the Dubai World Cup.  No filly has ever won the U.A.E. Derby.

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