Daddys Lil Darling seeks elusive victory in Dueling Grounds Oaks

FRANKLIN, Ky. – Sunday would be a good day for Daddys Lil Darling to exploit her classy form. Winless for nearly a year now, the 3-year-old filly will make a rare start in an ungraded race when she looks to end the drought as the likely favorite in the $200,000 Dueling Grounds Oaks at Kentucky Downs.

Bred and owned by the Normandy Farm of Nancy Polk, Daddys Lil Darling has amassed $720,365 in earnings while somehow remaining eligible for a second allowance condition. She has been facing the absolute best of her division, including Abel Tasman, Elate, and New Money Honey, names that won’t escape the notice of horseplayers delving into the past performances of the 10 fillies entered in this 1 5/16-mile race.

Julien Leparoux will be aboard Daddys Lil Darling for trainer Kenny McPeek, and they break from post 1 in the Oaks, which is once around the course at this turf-only track. If she is to incur a ninth straight defeat, it could be at the hands of Summer Luck or Quebec.

Summer Luck “seems to have found a new home on turf,” said Norman Casse, the assistant to his father, trainer Mark Casse. “She worked well leading up to the race, but it’s always an experiment coming to Kentucky Downs.”

Quebec came into the barn of trainer Kent Sweezey three weeks ago after showing steady improvement in recent months at Gulfstream Park.

“She fits on numbers,” said Sweezey. “The distance is the main question with her.”

KEY CONTENDERS

Daddys Lil Darling, by Scat Daddy
Last 3 Beyers: 73-84-90

◗ Runner-up in the Kentucky Oaks, this late-running filly has fared respectably in her two races on grass, including a fourth in the Belmont Oaks.

Summer Luck, by Lookin At Lucky
Last 3 Beyers: 85-66-83

◗ Jose Ortiz has the call on this handy filly, who in her only turf attempts was third in the Regret at Churchill Downs and second in a Saratoga allowance.

Quebec, by Into Mischief
Last 3 Beyers: 87-81-66

◗ Claimed twice already in an eight-race career, this filly stretches out off several good efforts over the Gulfstream turf.

Point System, by Broken Vow
Last 3 Beyers: 69-71-67

◗ This Pin Oak homebred seems like a real sleeper for Graham Motion after hinting at great potential in several East Coast races.