Once again a filly showed up the boys as the weekend stakes action reached a climax with Champion Two Year Old Male Uncle Mo failing in his last Derby prep and the Santa Anita Derby field reduced to mostly second tier performers. It looks like Larry Jones retained the best of his sophomore fillies when Summer Soiree was transferred from his barn after a sale to Team Valor and Honeybee Stakes (gr.3) victor Joyful Victory remained behind.
Returning to Oaklawn Park just one month after romping home by more than 8 lengths in the Honeybee Stakes (gr.3), Joyful Victory turned in yet another brilliant performance to defeat Arienza by a pole in the Grade 2 Fantasy Stakes. As the field of four broke from the gate in the 1 1/16 mile test longshot Explosive Disco quickly overtook Arienza to take control of the lead. Joyful Victory broke sharply from the inside post and immediately settled in comfortably behind the two frontrunners under jockey Mike Smith. Honeybee Stakes runner up Holy Heavens took up her customary position at the back of the field, far behind the rest. Around the first turn Explosive Disco opened up by a length on Arienza, running the first quarter in a solid :22.89 with Joyful Victory another two lengths back and Holy Heavens four lengths farther behind. Down the backstretch Explosive Disco continued to pour it on as Arienza, Joyful Victory and Holy Heavens all began to edge closer to the lead. The half mile went in a rapid :46.60 with a length separating each contender from the next. [Read the complete post here on Kentucky Oaks Runner at Horse Racing Nation]
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