Grade I Up for Grabs in American Oaks

[Wandering Eyes]

A cast of eight sophomore fillies get one last chance to compete in a restricted Grade I race in Saturday’s American Oaks at Santa Anita Park. Lady Prancealot (Ire) (Sir Prancealot {Ire}) is one of just two members of the field to have won last out, along with recent graduate So Much Happy (Twirling Candy). The bay took the GIII Honeymoon S. going a furlong shorter here June 1, and rallied to finish a close third behind next-out GI Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup S. winner Cambier Parc (Medaglia d’Oro) in the GI Del Mar Oaks Aug. 17. Sixth in the inaugural Jockey Club Invitational Oaks going 1 3/8 miles at Belmont Sept. 7, she belied 10-1 odds when getting up late in Keeneland’s GIII Pin Oak Valley View S. Oct. 18.

Mucho Unusual (Mucho Macho Man) has run some of the better races among this bunch. She got her neck down ahead of Apache Princess (Unusual Heat) in Del Mar’s one-mile GII San Clemente S. back in July, but settled for seventh in the Del Mar Oaks. She was third–one slot behind Giza Goddess (Cairo Prince)–in the local GIII Autumn Miss S. Oct. 26, and ninth against a much saltier group of older foes in the GI Matriarch S. in San Diego Dec. 1.

Vibrance (Violence) was second in the GI Chandelier S. and third in the GI Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies on the dirt last year. After several disappointing main-track attempts, she woke up when switched to the lawn, finishing second in an optional claimer here Oct. 4. She stayed on well to be a close third in Del Mar’s 11-furlong GIII Red Carpet H. Nov. 30.

 

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