Oaklawn: Martha Washington, American Beauty Stakes Top Saturday’s Card

By Rick Francis —-

Fillies and mares take center stage Saturday at Oaklawn in a pair of stakes contests; first up the $200k Martha Washington for 3-year-olds and later the American Beauty for the slightly older ladies; let’s have a look at the contenders.

Race 5) 1 Mile Martha Washington S. Purse $200,000 FILLIES, THREE YEAR OLDS
Post Time: 4:06/( 3:06)/ 2:06/ 1:06

1) Joy’s Rocket (Asmussen/Santana); colt out of Anthony’s Cross has won two straight , 4-of-6; forwardly placed they’ll have to run her down.

3) Coach (Cox/Geroux); makes first start of her sophomore season and first start since a battling third last November in the G2 Golden Rod; distance proven.

4) Will’s Secret (Stewart/Court); by Will Take Charge, has shown steady improvement in each of her last two; speed duel up front could open the door late.

5) Lady Lilly (Asmussen/Cabrera); talented Nyquist filly threw in the towel in the Golden Rod; she’ll rebound here.

Selections: 1, 3, 4, 5

Race 8) 6 Furlongs. American Beauty S. Purse $150,000 FILLIES AND MARES, FOUR YEAR OLDS AND UPWARD.
Post Time: 5:40/( 4:40)/ 3:40/ 2:40

7) Frank’s Rockette (Mott/Geroux); multiple graded stakes winner competed in the BC Sprint, her first try against the males; returning to the Filly and Mare division clearly makes her the one to beat.

6) Amy’s Challenge (Robertson/Arrieta); Artie Schiller 5-year-old has an impeccable Oaklawn record (8 3-3-1), however her record also shows a trend of following up a victory with an off-the-board effort; still think she’s better than the rest.

9) Lady’s Island (Baxter/Cabrera); 17-time winner leads at virtually every call, and has held on to those leads for the most part; she’ll hang on for a share here.

5) Wildwood’s Beauty (Becker/Rocco); comes in rested and a hot work tab to view.

Selections: 7, 6, 9, 5