Oaks News

Many people thought D. Wayne Lukas would win a 3-year-old stakes race this weekend at Oaklawn Park.  Most thought that would come in the Grade 3 Rebel on Saturday.  However, Lukas got his win a day earlier than expected when Time's Mistress turned the tables on some familiar rivals and galloped home to a big 4 ¾-length victory in the $100,000 Honeybee.

            Time's Mistress, a 3-year-old daughter of Mr. Greeley, covered the 1 1/16 miles over a "fast" track in 1:45.49 and paid $26.80, $9, and $6.80 as the fifth choice.  High Heels, ridden by Joe Johnson, finished second and paid $3.80 and $3.20.  Grace Happens, piloted by Willie Martinez, finished third and paid $11.40 to show.

            Stellas New Groove finished fourth and was followed by Devil House, Light Lace, Stage Shop, Miss Goodnight, and Cat On a Cloud.  Devil House came into the race on a five-race win-streak and was sent off as the 9-5 favorite in the field of nine.

            Devil House shot out to the lead as expected and set uncontested fractions of :23.62 for the first quarter-mile and :47.91 for the first half-mile.  She relinquished the lead early as Time's Mistress assumed pole position after moving six furlongs in 1:13.17.  She never looked back after that point and extended her lead in the stretch.

            The race offered no graded earnings, which will be the determining factor in the order of preference for Kentucky Oaks entrants.  The top finishers seem likely contenders for the $250,000 Fantasy (Grade 2) back at Oaklawn Park on April 6.  A good effort in that race merits serious consideration for the Kentucky Oaks.

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