Woodbine Oaks does not lack Luster, who should go favored
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ETOBICOKE, Ontario – Luster has been shining leading up to Sunday’s $750,000 Woodbine Oaks and should be favored in the 71st running of the historic 1 1/8-mile Tapeta event, which has been won by the likes of Dance Smarty, Gal In a Ruckus, and Moira.
Luster has only lost once in four starts for trainer Josie Carroll, who has won the Woodbine Oaks thrice. She romped in her first two races on turf – against maidens here last August and in allowance company at Keeneland in April. She earned an 85 Beyer Speed Figure when taking the Grade 3 Selene under Fraser Aebly on June 27.
The lone blemish on Luster’s record was a chalky third here May 16 in the seven-furlong Ruling Angel Stakes.
“I truly think she really wants to go two turns,” Aebly said. “You watch her on the grass and she was very impressive at Keeneland, even when she broke her maiden here. I just think she really enjoys two turns.”
John Velazquez, who won last year’s Oaks on No Time, takes over on Luster, a daughter of Knicks Go who is owned by Gainesway Stable and Andrew Rosen.
Carroll also sends out Chiefswood Stable’s Bold Time, an impressive allowance winner two back before a disappointing performance in the Grade 3 Selene.
“I expected more from her last time,” Chiefswood general manager Robert Landry said. “I think she’s a better filly than the way she ran then.”
Aebly has the mount on Bold Time and was aboard for her maiden win at 2.
Trainer Dale Desruisseaux sends out two prime contenders in the seven-horse field – Chiefswood’s Piper’s Gift and Hillsbrook Farm’s Dixie Law. Both were among the leading 2-year-old fillies in Canada last year.
Piper’s Gift won the seven-furlong Glorious Song Stakes and the 1 1/16-mile Princess Elizabeth Stakes last fall. After getting the winter off, she was a non-threatening fourth in the one-mile Memories of Silver on the grass at Aqueduct. She cut back to seven furlongs most recently and prevailed in the restricted Fury Stakes with career-best 80 Beyer.
Her connections wanted her to come into the Oaks fresh, and it’s been all systems go.
“She’s doing great,” Landry said. “Her last three works were phenomenal. I think Dale’s very happy with her. I think she’s a talented filly. The good thing about her is she can track and she’s got an explosive kick, too, when you unleash it. I’m expecting a big effort from her.”
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Dixie Law beat the boys on turf in the Oct. 5 Cup and Saucer Stakes. She doubled up in the Grade 3 Mazarine going 1 1/16 miles on Tapeta on Nov. 2 and then bled when a fading fourth in the Nov. 29 Coronation Futurity.
Dixie Law resurfaced as a first-time Lasix user May 16 in the Ruling Angel, when she eked out a victory over next-out stakes winners Melani and Luster. She rallied into second in the stretch most recently in the Selene before getting relegated to third at the wire by Katie’s Grace.
“I think she had a little too much to do turning for home,” Desruisseaux said. “She has a different running style than Piper. She’s more of a grinder. Among all the races she won, she’s been pretty close to the lead turning for home. I think that’s where she needs to be. When Luster got a three-length jump on us, it was hard for her to close.”
Dixie Law breezed five furlongs in a bullet 59.80 seconds last Sunday.
“She had a really good work last week,” Desruisseaux said. “I’m happy with where she’s at.”
Hernandez retains the mount on Piper’s Gift, while Pietro Moran picks up the ride on Dixie Law.
Katie’s Grace, second in the Princess Elizabeth and third in the Mazarine, got off to a slow start this year as a minor player in a pair of seven-furlong sprints. When trainer Catherine Day Phillips added blinkers for the stretch-out in the Selene, she came charging inside of Dixie Law in the final furlong to grab second with a career-best 82 Beyer.
“I thought the blinkers were very effective in what we were trying to achieve,” Day Phillips said. “She was on the bridle and [jockey Ryan Munger] was able to get her into a good position. She finished up very well with the return to two turns, and I was very happy to see her have a strong gallop-out, especially since we are going a little further on Sunday.”
The Oaks heads a 14-race card that also includes the Grade 2 Connaught Cup, the Grade 2 Nassau, and the Plate Trial Stakes. Post time is 1 p.m.
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