Oaks fillies present and accounted for

LOUISVILLE, Ky. - Before, during, and after many of their male counterparts were going through their final drills for the Kentucky Derby, most of the 3-year-old fillies pointed to the Kentucky Oaks also had their final preparations during training hours Sunday and Monday.

Four of the 11 fillies likely to run in Friday's Grade 1, $500,000 Oaks had final breezes Sunday, while four more were out for their last serious works the following morning. Perhaps the most notable among that final flurry of workouts was a half-mile Monday breeze at Churchill Downs by Lady Tak, the Ashland Stakes runner-up who will be seeking to rebound from her only loss in six career starts. With Lonnie Meche aboard for trainer Steve Asmussen, Lady Tak worked the distance in 49 seconds.

"I think Mr. Steve Asmussen has the Oaks winner," said Meche, whose twin brother, Donnie, normally rides Lady Tak but has been sidetracked by legal problems. He'll be replaced by Jerry Bailey for the Oaks.

In other Oaks works, all of which came at Churchill (unless otherwise noted) over a fast surface:

* Trainer Bob Baffert, who won the 1999 Oaks with Silverbulletday, sent out Santa Catarina for a five-furlong workout Sunday. She went in 1:01.20. Baffert had Atlantic Ocean go a half-mile Monday, and she worked in 47.80. Baffert said both fillies "are ready to roll."

* Nick Zito breezed his pair of Oaks fillies Sunday, with Bird Town completing five furlongs in 59.80 and Holiday Lady breezing a half-mile in 47.60.

* Boston Gal, who figures as one of the top wagering choices off her Beaumont Stakes victory, sped five furlongs in 1:00 Sunday for trainer Carl Nafzger.

* Go for Glamour went a half-mile in 46.20 Monday for trainer Beau Greely.

* Island Fashion had her second drill over the Churchill surface for trainer Nick Canani, completing a half-mile in 46.40 Monday.

Entries for the 129th Oaks were to be drawn Tuesday. With riders, these were the fillies expected to enter:

Atlantic Ocean, David Flores; Bird Town, Edgar Prado; Elloluv, Robby Albarado; Holiday Lady, Jose Santos; Go for Glamour, Alex Solis; In Case of Wind, Calvin Borel; Island Fashion, Pat Valenzuela; Lady Tak, Jerry Bailey; My Boston Gal, Pat Day; Santa Catarina, Gary Stevens; and Yell, John Velazquez.

The prospective field for the 1 1/8-mile Oaks was reduced by one Monday when trainer Dave Vance declared My Trusty Cat from contention. "She wasn't eating the way she normally does," Vance said. My Trusty Cat figured to be a longshot.