Lemons Forever producing Grade 1 lemonade

Kentucky Oaks winner Lemons Forever produced her second Grade 1 winner when her daughter Forever Unbridled captured the Apple Blossom Handicap at Oaklawn Park last Friday.

Lemons Forever won the 2006 Kentucky Oaks and continued to knock heads with top competition in her division, finishing third in the prestigious Alabama Stakes that summer at Saratoga. The Lemon Drop Kid mare has become a solid broodmare for owner Charles Fipke, with three winners, including her two Grade 1 winners, from five starters. Unbridled Forever, by Unbridled’s Song, won the Grade 1 Ballerina Stakes last summer after recording three Grade 1 placings the prior year, including a third in the Kentucky Oaks. Her full sister Forever Unbridled was a multiple Grade 3 winner last year before posting her breakthrough victory in the Apple Blossom. Both runners, like their dam, are conditioned by Dallas Stewart.

Lemons Forever delivered a Medaglia d’Oro colt last year, was bred back to the stallion for 2016, and is due to deliver this month.

Lemons Forever is one of two Kentucky Oaks winners since 2000 to produce a Grade 1 winner. The other is Rachel Alexandra, whose daughter Rachel’s Valentina is expected to contest this year’s Oaks. Secret Status is the dam of multiple Grade 1-placed Dunkirk.