Pedigree

Bsharpsonata is a daughter of Pulpit, the 1997 Blue Grass S. (G2) winner who led the Kentucky Derby (G1) field before fading to finish fourth behind Silver Charm. A son of Horse of the Year and multiple leading sire A.P. Indy (who is by 1977 Triple Crown winner Seattle Slew), Pulpit is the sire of more than 30 stakes winners, including several promising three-year-olds of the past such as Purge, Tapit, Essence of Dubai and Sky Mesa. He is also the sire of leading Kentucky Derby contender Pyro, who was second in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile (G1) at two, and winner of the Louisiana Derby (G2) at three this year.

Bsharpsonata's dam, Apasionata Sonata, won four of nine starts, all on turf, including the 2003 Kentucky Cup Ladies Turf S. at Kentucky Downs. She is the only stakes winner produced by Express Star who, like Apasionata Sonata, won up to 1 1/8 miles. Apasionata Sonata is by Affirmed, who was a champion all three years he raced and the last Triple Crown winner in 1978. Affirmed has been a source of stamina in the pedigrees of such recent notables as Breeders' Cup Classic (G1) and Dubai World Cup (UAE-G1) winner Pleasantly Perfect; multiple Grade 1 winner Harlan's Holiday; and Grade 1 turf marathoner Honey Ryder. Express Star is a seven-time stakes winner by Baldski, who is himself a half-sibling to champion Capote and Hall of Fame inductee Exceller, a multiple Grade 1 winner at 1 1/2 miles and beyond.

A winner already up to 1 1/16 miles, it isn't a stretch to think Bsharpsonata will be competitive at the Oaks' 1 1/8-mile distance.