Will's Secret stretches win streak in Honeybee Stakes

HOT SPRINGS, Ark. - Will’s Secret won her second consecutive points race for the Kentucky Oaks on Saturday, when she darted to a three-quarter-length win over Pauline’s Pearl in the Grade 3, $300,000 Honeybee at Oaklawn Park.

Earlier in the meet, Will’s Secret won the $200,000 Martha Washington. She was winning her third straight race Saturday in a streak that started with a maiden special weight victory in December at Fair Grounds.

Will’s Secret picked up 50 points for the Kentucky Oaks in the Honeybee, while Pauline’s Pearl secured 20. Sun Path, who was third, earned 10, and Oliviaofthedesert, who was fourth, earned 5.

Will’s Secret ($6.20) was always prominent, pressing Tabor Hall through an opening quarter in 24.25 seconds. Will’s Secret took over through a half-mile in 49.70, continued to lead through six furlongs in 1:14.49, and finished up the mile and a sixteenth on a track rated fast in 1:44.61.

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Jon Court was aboard the winner for trainer Dallas Stewart.

“She’s really classy,” Stewart said. “She dictated the whole card game. When you can show a little speed and finish it off, it makes it very dangerous in a horse race, when you’ve got that kind of horse. It’s not easy to find.”

Will’s Secret races for her breeder, Willis Horton, and is a daughter of Will Take Charge. Horton, who raced champion Will Take Charge, is a resident of Arkansas. He teamed with Stewart to win the 2006 Kentucky Oaks with Lemons Forever.

Will’s Secret has now won 3 of 6 starts for earnings of $343,300.

Stewart said plans going forward are to be determined with Will’s Secret.

“There’s two things we could do, run back in the Fantasy or wait [for the Oaks],” he said Saturday. “She’s got enough points.”

Will’s Secret has a total of 60 points for the Kentucky Oaks, after earning 10 for her win in the Martha Washington.

The Fantasy will be run later in the meet at Oaklawn. Will’s Secret is based at Fair Grounds.

* Oaklawn opened its infield for the first time this meet, on a beautiful afternoon in the 60s. The estimated attendance ontrack was 4,000. Oaklawn plans to open the infield, weather-permitting, on the remaining Saturdays of the meet that runs through May 1.

* Handle on the 10-race card from all sources Saturday was $5.1 million, according to figures provided by Oaklawn.

* Niall paid $176.20 in winning the fourth race Saturday. Walter De La Cruz was aboard for owner and trainer Danele Durham.