Foxysox bound for Oaks, but opposition is unclear

INGLEWOOD, Calif. - Foxysox had her reputation bruised when she finished second to Attima in the Grade 2 Honeymoon Breeders' Cup Handicap at Hollywood Park on June 4. Her revenge may come in the $750,000 American Oaks here on July 2.

The loss in the Honeymoon was the first in five starts in this country for Foxysox, who won three stakes at Santa Anita and Hollywood Park earlier this year.

Since the Honeymoon, trainer Carla Gaines says that Foxysox has rebounded, describing her as "looking like a prizefighter" in preparation for the American Oaks.

"I don't think she went into that race as well as she's coming into this," Gaines said.

Owned by Warren Williamson, Foxysox will need to display championship form in the Grade 1 American Oaks, which is run at 1 1/4 miles on turf and will draw an international field.

Gaines said Foxysox may be up to a career-best performance. She was stunned after Foxysox worked four furlongs in 47.60 seconds last Sunday, which was quicker than her works in the preceding month.

"It was uncharacteristic for her," she said. "Usually when she's by herself, she'll go any pace you want. She looked really good."

It is unclear which fillies Foxysox will face in the American Oaks.

Dionisia, the winner of the Italian Oaks last weekend, and Queen Cleopatra, who was third in the French Oaks, will not be making the trip from Europe, according to racing secretary Martin Panza.

A decision on whether Lady of Venice will start will be made this weekend, according to trainer Patrick Biancone. Lady of Venice won the Grade 3 Regret Stakes at Churchill Downs on June 17.

Trainer Julio Canani has not decided whether Attima will start or wait for the Del Mar meeting.

The probable starters include Arravale, Asahi Rising, Galileo's Star, Sol Mi Fa, and Wait a While. Other fillies may be invited this weekend, Panza said.

The $750,000 CashCall Mile for fillies and mares on turf on July 1 will not have a full field.

Biancone said that he will decide this weekend whether to start Gorella, who was third in the 2005 Breeders' Cup Mile against males. Wend, a four-time stakes winner, is entered in a stakes at Colonial Downs this weekend, and is expected to run there, trainer Bill Mott said. She could be sent to California if wet weather hits the Virginia track.

The CashCall Mile will be led by Shining Energy, an impressive winner of the Gamely Breeders' Cup Stakes here on May 29. A four-time stakes winner, Shining Energy is trained by Canani.

Other probable starters are Cambiocorsa, Dance in the Mood, Dancing Edie, Flying Glitter, Hollywood Story, Luas Line, Sweet Talker, and Toupie.

Hollywood Story could start in the $300,000 Vanity Handicap at 1 1/8 miles on the main track on July 1. The Vanity is one of nine stakes run at Hollywood Park between July 1 and 4, all worth $100,000 or more.