Lovely Maria gives 'Jones boys' third Kentucky Oaks win

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Brereton C. Jones ruled the state of Kentucky as governor during a four-year term from 1991-95, but he has ruled the Kentucky Oaks in more recent times. Jones got his third Oaks winner Friday – all since 2008 – when Lovely Maria, ridden by 56-year-old jockey Kerwin “Boo Boo” Clark, dominated the 141st running of the $1 million filly classic at Churchill Downs before an Oaks-record crowd of 123,763.

In a result replete with compelling story lines, Lovely Maria had the look of a winner throughout the 1 1/8-mile Oaks, stalking the pace before asserting her superiority down the stretch and prevailing by 2 3/4 lengths over 26-1 shot Shook Up. The winner returned $14.60 as the fifth choice in a field of 14 3-year-old fillies.

Lovely Maria, a bay daughter of the young sire Majesticperfection, follows Proud Spell (2008) and Believe You Can (2012) as winners of the Grade 1 Oaks for “the Jones boys” – the former governor and his longtime trainer, Larry Jones (no relation).

“I know he’s a former politician, but [former Gov. Jones] and his people are the sweetest, most genuine folks you’ll find,” Larry Jones, 58, said to laughter.

“I know that I and my family are blessed,” said Brereton Jones, 75. “Don’t ask me why this has happened, but it has happened, and we are very thankful for that.”

Clark, a jockey for 40 years, was overcome with emotion astride Lovely Maria entering the winner’s circle, saying: “This is as good as it gets.”

Under blue skies and spectacular springtime weather, Condo Commando set the pace, as expected, reeling off fractions of 23.51 seconds, 47.26, and 1:11.50 over a fast surface before giving way readily late in the final turn to Angela Renee, who had given closest chase from early on.

Lovely Maria, always in a perfect stalking spot from a couple of paths off the rail, ranged up alongside Angela Renee at the quarter pole as the obvious danger, and after Clark went to a rhythmic right-handed whip, it was all over, as Lovely Maria went on to finish in 1:50.45.

Shook Up, forwardly placed from the start under Robby Albarado, finished resolutely to get second by a length over I’m a Chatterbox, another Larry Jones-trained filly whose chances were compromised by a sluggish start. Stellar Wind, the 3-1 favorite, was another length behind in fourth after rallying from far back.

Lovely Maria, bred in Kentucky by Olin Gentry and Thomas Gaines, now has four wins and three seconds from eight lifetime starts. She earned $564,200 to more than double her bankroll to $968,800.

Clark, a winner of 2,900 races while based primarily in Louisiana, notched his first Grade 1 victory when Lovely Maria captured the April 4 Ashland Stakes at Keeneland in her final Oaks prep. He got choked up a second time in the post-race press conference when asking Brereton Jones to tell the story of how Lovely Maria got her name. Jones said the filly is named for a disabled young woman whom he met through friends at a favored vacation spot.

“She’s a remarkable young lady,” said Jones.

For Larry Jones, who was seriously injured in a training accident a little more than a year ago, the Oaks win culminated a comeback from that frightening period of his life. He was in a coma for two days and underwent surgery to relieve pressure on his brain. He talked at length about the work and patience to overcome the injury and his gratitude for Jones.

“I love all my owners,” he said, but former Gov. Jones “just sends us such good horses. And he gives us time, gives us that opportunity – bless him.”

After the top four, the order was Birdatthewire, Angela Renee, Oceanwave, Include Betty, Condo Commando, Eskenformoney, Forever Unbridled, Puca, Money’soncharlotte, and Sarah Sis. The lone also-eligible, Peace and War, was an early scratch.

Sarah Sis did not finish and was vanned off, but veterinary personnel said afterward they believed the filly was not seriously injured.

The $2 exacta (7-2) paid $296, the $1 trifecta (7-2-8) returned $781.40, and the $1 superfecta (7-2-8-12) was worth $4,126.60.

Attendance easily surpassed the former Oaks record of 116,046 set in 2010.