Briland Farm's homebred Secret Oath stamped herself as a filly to watch for either the Kentucky Oaks (G1) or the Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve (G1) this spring with her eye-catching 7 ½-length victory in the $300,000 Honeybee Stakes (G3) on Saturday at Oaklawn Park.
The win was the third straight for the daughter of Arrogate who is trained by Hall of Famer D. Wayne Lukas. She earned 50 points toward eligibility in the Kentucky Oaks, to run May 6, a secured a spot in the race, which is limited to 14 starters. Lukas has won the Oaks four times previously, most recently in 1990 with Seaside Attraction. He has four Kentucky Derby wins, including with filly Winning Colors in 1988.
Lukas was so impressed with Secret Oath's Honeybee win he said she could be possible for either the Arkansas Derby (G1) later at the Oaklawn meet or the Run for the Roses.
“She's nominated (for the Arkansas Derby) and the Kentucky Derby,” Lukas said. “You know what's really good here? The thing that I'm most happy about is that (Oaklawn) has changed from (three) weeks in front of the Kentucky Derby to five. Boy, if you're training a good filly, that's another little caveat that I like. I like it if I have a colt. I like that five-week break. But if you have a filly, you'd have to say, 'Wow!' You're going to get a little extra time.”
Secret Oak, the heavy favorite, broke last of six and raced three wide early as Optionality set fractions of :23 and :47 for the first half mile, while being pressed hard by Yuugiri. Secret Oath moved into a stalking position down backstretch and after encountering traffic around the final turn, found a seam along the rail and quickly took control of the race. She drew well clear of runner-up Ice Orchid, who received 20 Kentucky Oaks points, to complete the 1 1/16 mile race in 1:44 3/5 over a fast track.
“I loved that acceleration,” Lukas said. “When she decides to leave them, she leaves them. Wow!”
Jockey Luis Contreras said he got a great break and good position.
“I just sat right behind and at (the three-eighths pole), she tried to pull me again. I just waited and waited. My thinking was to go outside, but I had another horse right there, so I stayed a little longer. When I saw the rail open and asked her to go, she made a tremendous move.
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