Martha Washington tossup between Defining Purpose, Olivia Twist
HOT SPRINGS, Ark. – Defining Purpose and Olivia Twist are difficult to separate in the $200,000 Martha Washington, which will dole out points for the Kentucky Oaks.
The 1 1/16-mile race on Saturday offers its first five finishers points on a scale of 20-8-6-4-2.
The fillies are both stakes winners, making them the most accomplished runners in the six-horse field. Defining Purpose accounted for the $150,000 Year’s End at a mile at Oaklawn in her last start Dec. 31. She stalked the pace and went on to a 5 1/4-length victory, earning a 79 Beyer.
“I’d like to see a repeat performance of her last one,” said trainer Kenny McPeek. “We’re excited about her chances.
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“She’s a real good-minded filly, handles about everything you put in front of her. It’s a real pleasure to be around one like her.”
David Cabrera has the mount from post 3, and McPeek said tactics will be left to the rider. He noted Defining Purpose brings tactical speed into the Martha Washington.
Olivia Twist is undefeated in three starts and enters off a win in the $100,000 Trapeze at a mile on Dec. 17 at Remington Park. Olivia Twist stalked the pace after wiring her rivals in her prior starts, and for the two-length win earned a 75 Beyer.
“She answered some questions that we needed answered,” said trainer Todd Fincher. “She wasn’t one-dimensional. She came from off the pace and finished up nice.”
Olivia Twist’s races have been at Remington, but she was previously in training in New Mexico and has been working at Oaklawn.
“So far she’s been to several tracks, only run at one,” Fincher said. “She’s handled everything perfectly. She’s more seasoned than her form shows.”
Torres has the mount from post 5.
Fincher noted Olivia Twist is a half-sister to Skippylongstocking, who runs Saturday at Gulfstream in the Pegasus World Cup.
Take Charge Briana enters the Martha Washington off a closing third in the Year’s End.
“I think she could show up very well there,” said trainer Wayne Lukas. “The distance might help her.
“Secret Oath showed her how to do it last year.”
Secret Oath romped in the Martha Washington en route to capturing the Kentucky Oaks. Lukas said Wednesday Secret Oath remains on pace to make her 4-year-old debut in the Azeri at Oaklawn.
Wet Paint enters Saturday’s race off a runner-up finish in a first-level allowance at Turfway Park.
“She’s a nice filly, had a good run on the synthetic last time, and broke her maiden in the mud,” said trainer Brad Cox, who has given the mount to Flavien Prat. “I think she needs to step forward, and if she does, she’ll be a player.”
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