Florida Oaks Draws Eight

The companion event to the Tampa Bay Derby (G3), the $200,000 Florida Oaks (GIII), has attracted a field of eight sophomore fillies. Multiple stakes victress CALICO BAY (Three Wonders), who romped by eight lengths last time out in the fillies' division of the OBS Championship S., ranks as the co-highweight with 122 pounds. Two starts ago, the Bill Kaplan trainee finished fourth to Bsharpsonata (Pulpit) in a deep renewal of the Tropical Park Oaks. Manoel Cruz has the return call.

Also shouldering 122 pounds is Tempted S. (G3) queen ELUSIVE LADY (Van Nistelrooy). The gray was a distant second in the Demoiselle S. (G2) in her juvenile finale, and she will try to rebound from a troubled last-of-nine performance in the Old Hat S. (G2) in her 2008 bow. John Velasquez has the riding assignment.

Although Suncoast S. heroine Vaulcluse (A.P. Indy) is skipping this newly elevated Grade 3 event, the fillies who completed the Suncoast superfecta will renew rivalry. On that occasion, runner-up MY BABY BABY (Bernstein) was 6 3/4 lengths clear of third-placer NO USE DENYING (Maria's Mon), who had a mere head to spare over DEE'S ROSE (Straight Man).

UNFOLDING WISH (Gilded Time) and AWESOME CHIC (Awesome Again), who traded decisions in a pair of Tampa stakes earlier this meet, will clash again, while recent maiden winner DATTTS R GIRL ADDY (Vindication) completes the field.