Epsom Downs: Maybe looks to bounce back in English Oaks

Maybe, only third as the favorite in the English 1000 Guineas on May 6 in her first start of 2012, is one of six runners trained by Aidan O’Brien in Friday’s Group 1 English Oaks at Epsom Downs.

Maybe, a filly by Galileo, won four stakes in England and Ireland last year, including the Group 1 Moyglare Stud Stakes on Aug. 28, her final start of the season.

In the English 1000 Guineas, Maybe was beaten 10 lengths by stablemate Homecoming Queen.

The English Oaks, known through its sponsorship name as the Investec Oaks, drew a field of 14 and is run over about 1 1/2 miles on turf on a left-handed, undulating horseshoe-shaped course.

Maybe’s main competition is The Fugue, a filly by Dansili who was fourth in the English 1000 Guineas but rebounded to win the Group 3 Musidora Stakes at York on May 16. Trained by John Gosden, The Fugue makes her Group 1 debut in the English Oaks and may be a lukewarm favorite.

Vow, a Motivator filly trained by William Haggas, and the O’Brien-trained Kissed, by Galileo, are other leading contenders.

Vow is unbeaten in two starts, including the Oaks Trial Stakes at Lingfield on May 12. Kissed, unbeaten in two starts, has never raced outside of Ireland, but did win the Salsabil Stakes at Navan Racecourse on April 29.

O’Brien said Wednesday that Kissed is not a certain starter unless rain softens the course. The course was listed as good Wednesday.