Golden Doc A Tops Santa Anita Oaks

Las Virgenes S. (G1) heroine GOLDEN DOC A (Unusual Heat) is the top draw in Saturday's $300,000 Santa Anita Oaks (G1). Runner-up by a head to unbeaten champion Indian Blessing (Indian Charlie) two starts back in the Santa Ynez S. (G2), the Barry Abrams-trained lass figures to be a prohibitive favorite over eight sophomore filly rivals in the 1 1/16-mile event.

Golden Doc A earned her first stakes over open stakes rivals when capturing the six-furlong Anoakia S. last October, and the versatile miss is Grade 3-placed on the turf. The California-bred stretched out to two turns successfully in the one-mile Las Virgenes, winning comfortably by a length, and the chestnut will face only one graded winner in the Santa Anita Oaks. Rafael Bejarano will retain the mount.

Santa Ysabel S. (G3) winner FINAL FLING (Bertrando) will square off against Golden Doc A for the first time on Saturday. A maiden special weight vixen two starts back over California-bred rivals, the Ral Ayers-trained filly upset five opponents at 10-1 in the 1 1/16-mile Santa Ysabel. Regular rider Joe Talamo will guide her.

Las Virgenes runner-up LOVELY ISLE (Double Honor) is one of two entrants for Bobby Frankel. The Hall of Fame conditioner will also send out ARIEGE (Doneraile Court), who will make her first synthetic start following a nose second in the grassy La Habra S. (G3). The unbeaten BRIECAT (Adcat), who exits a victory in the Arizona Oaks at Turf Paradise, will make her graded bow for Vladimir Cerin.

Lovely Isle will lead the post parade under David Flores. Next comes Briecat, Richard Migliore; DIVINE LEGACY (Full Mandate), Tyler Baze; Final Fling; SEATTLE SMOOTH (Quiet American), Joel Rosario; SUNDAY HOLIDAY (Sunday Break [Jpn]), Victor Espinoza; Golden Doc A; Ariege, Corey Nakatani; and KAZAMIRA (Dynaformer), Mike Smith.

All starters will carry 122 pounds.