Joyful Victory, a potential favorite in a tough field of 13, drew the rail post position for Friday's $1 million Kentucky Oaks.
Joyful Victory finished fifth in last November's Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies but roared to life this spring at Oaklawn Park in Arkansas, winning the Grade III Honeybee by 9 3/4 lengths, then taking the Fantasy by 7 lengths.
Trained by Larry Jones, the Tapit filly now has three wins from five career starts. The rail often is a problematic spot in the starting gate. But since Joyful Victory normally runs from off the pace, she won't be forced to gun for early position from the gate.
The Oaks -- the filly equivalent of the Kentucky Derby, restricted to 3-year-olds -- will be no walkover for any starter. The field also includes Lilacs and Lace, winner of the Ashland at Keeneland; Summer Soiree, victor in the Bourbonette Oaks at Turfway Park; Zazu, runner-up in the Santa Anita Oaks; Daisy Devine, winner of the Fair Grounds Oaks; Kathmanblu, who won the Golden Rod Stakes at Churchill Downs last fall; and Street Storm, who captured the Mardi Gras from New Orleans.
Bob Baffert will saddle Plum Pretty, who ran third in both the Santa Ynez and the Las Virgenes at Santa Anita before winning the Sunland Park Oaks in New Mexico by 25 lengths in her last outing.
The early favorite, R Heat Lightning, was declared from the race this week with a knee injury.
The Oaks is one of five stakes events on Friday's card at Churchill Downs. Oaks Day once was a haven for locals seeking to avoid the throngs on Derby Day. In recent years, however, it has come to rival the big day in terms of attendance and general frenzy.
Joyful Victory finished fifth in last November's Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies but roared to life this spring at Oaklawn Park in Arkansas, winning the Grade III Honeybee by 9 3/4 lengths, then taking the Fantasy by 7 lengths.
Trained by Larry Jones, the Tapit filly now has three wins from five career starts. The rail often is a problematic spot in the starting gate. But since Joyful Victory normally runs from off the pace, she won't be forced to gun for early position from the gate.
The Oaks -- the filly equivalent of the Kentucky Derby, restricted to 3-year-olds -- will be no walkover for any starter. The field also includes Lilacs and Lace, winner of the Ashland at Keeneland; Summer Soiree, victor in the Bourbonette Oaks at Turfway Park; Zazu, runner-up in the Santa Anita Oaks; Daisy Devine, winner of the Fair Grounds Oaks; Kathmanblu, who won the Golden Rod Stakes at Churchill Downs last fall; and Street Storm, who captured the Mardi Gras from New Orleans.
Bob Baffert will saddle Plum Pretty, who ran third in both the Santa Ynez and the Las Virgenes at Santa Anita before winning the Sunland Park Oaks in New Mexico by 25 lengths in her last outing.
The early favorite, R Heat Lightning, was declared from the race this week with a knee injury.
