Whimsy returns to where she runs best

Iowa Oaks winner Whimsy heads a strong field of eight 3-year-old fillies in Saturday's $75,000 Prairie Meadows Oaks at 1 1/16 miles.

Whimsy was a rallying 2 3/4-length winner of the Grade 3 Iowa Oaks at 1 1/16 miles on July 1. In her most recent start, Whimsy faded to fifth, beaten two lengths, after making a bid for the lead in midstretch of the 1 1/8-mile Arlington Oaks on Aug. 20.

Whimsy, trained by Michael Stidham, is 2 for 2 at Prairie Meadows, having captured the Panthers in June in addition to the Prairie Meadows Oaks.

Overall, Whimsy has won 5 of 7 starts and $174,722. Carlos Marquez Jr. has a return call on Whimsy, who figures to get a lively early pace to set up her late run.

Tappin for Gold has won 2 of her 3 starts under the care of trainer Brad Cox and finished a close third, beaten just a length, in the Arlington Oaks in her most recent start, while finishing in front of Whimsy.

Terry Thompson picks up the mount aboard Tappin for Gold.

Two fillies, Ayla Bella and Dearest Queen, look to extend winning streaks in the Oaks.

Ayla Bella faces her toughest task yet as she goes after her sixth straight win. In her most recent start, Ayla Bella scored an easy four-length victory in a one-mile overnight handicap at Ellis Park on Aug. 27. Trainer Joan Scott has given Cindy Noll the call aboard Ayla Bella.

Dearest Queen went from being a maiden on June 30 to a stakes winner before the end of August during her current three-race win streak. Last time out, Dearest Queen rallied to score a four-length win on turf in the 1 1/16-mile Hatoof at Arlington.

Perry Compton will be in from Chicago to ride Dearest Queen for trainer Steve Hobby.

Queansco, winner of the $79,000 Iowa Breeders' Oaks against statebreds last out on Aug. 27, adds more depth to the Oaks field.