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Background Check: Kentucky Oaks

In this continuing series, we examine the past winners of significant filly/mare races by the lasting influence they've had on the breed. Up today is the GI Kentucky Oaks, second only in stature at Churchill Downs to the GI Kentucky Derby.

The Derby isn't alone as the oldest continuously held major sporting event in the U.S. The Oaks is right there with it, having been held every year, without interruption for wars or pandemics, since racing first began at Churchill in 1875 when the Louisville oval was known as the Louisville Jockey Club. Although the 'Lilies for the Fillies' is somewhat of a prelude to the big event in the public consciousness, it's also a special Classic all on its own. Whether it was Silverbulletday's popular win as the shortest-priced favorite in Oaks history or Rachel Alexandra's 20 1/4-length tour de force or D. Wayne Lukas's record-tying fifth Oaks score last year with Secret Oath, the race has provided so many wonderful moments.

With 149 Kentucky Oaks winners (including two victresses from a 1959 split division), following are highlights of some of the most important by what impact they've had on the sport through their sons and daughters.

Lemons Forever (2003, Lemon Drop Kid–Critikola {Arg}, by Tough Critic), bred by Farfellow Farms Ltd.: The only Kentucky Oaks winner to be officially honored as Broodmare of the Year, she produced champion Forever Unbridled (Unbridled's Song) and additional GISW Unbridled Forever (Unbridled's Song). Her daughters are young and she still has a few more in the pipeline herself, so more could be in her future.

2006 winner Lemons Forever is the only Oaks winner
to be named a Broodmare of the Year | Horsephotos

Seaside Attraction (1987, Seattle Slew–Kamar, by Key to the Mint), bred by Hermitage Farm, Inc., A. G. Clay, and Robert N. Clay: She only had five foals, but four of them were graded winners, including champion Golden Attraction (Mr. Prospector) and GISW Cape Town (Seeking the Gold). Both of her daughters are dams of two or more stakes winners apiece, with French champion Desert Lord (GB) (Green Desert) among their offspring.

Blush With Pride (1979, Blushing Groom {Fr}–Best in Show, by Traffic Judge), bred by Mr. & Mrs. Darrell Brown: Broodmare of the Year Better Than Honour (Deputy Minister), dam of GI Belmont S. winners Rags to Riches (A.P. Indy) (also a champion and Kentucky Oaks winner) and Jazil (Seeking the Gold), is one of her daughters. Other top runners tracing to her to date are European champion Peeping Fawn (Danehill) and GISWs Thewayyouare (Kingmambo), Streaming (Smart Strike), and Paris Lights (Curlin).

Hidden Talent (1956, Dark Star–Dangerous Dame {GB}, by Nasrullah {GB}), bred by Harry F. Guggenheim: Dam of Broodmare of the Year Too Bald (Bald Eagle), her descendants include U.S. champion Capote (Seattle Slew), Canadian champion Lake Country (Caucasus), plus MGISWs Exceller (Vaguely Noble {Ire}) and Broad Brush (Ack Ack).

Lalun (1952, Djeddah {Fr}–Be Faithful, by Bimelech), bred by H. F. Guggenheim: Her two top sons were champion Never Bend (Nasrullah {GB}) and Travers winner Bold Reason (Hail to Reason). Both hit the board in the Kentucky Derby and both had significant influence on the breed.

Real Delight (1949, Bull Lea–Blue Delight, by Blue Larkspur), bred by Calumet Farm: This mare produced three black-type winners, but it's the next generations through her daughters that will keep her in pedigrees. Among the legions of top-class horses descending from her are Hall of Famer and leading sire Alydar (Raise a Native), Broodmare of the Year Sweet Tooth (On-and-On), champions Our Mims (Herbager {Fr}) and Christmas Past (Grey Dawn II {Fr}), and GISWs Sugar and Spice (Key to the Mint), Codex (Arts and Letters), and Grand Slam (Gone West).

How (1948, Princequillo {GB}–The Squaw II {Fr}, by Sickle {GB}), bred by D. Djordjadze: She is the dam of Broodmare of the Year Pocahontas (Roman), whose five stakes winners included champion and excellent sire Tom Rolfe (Ribot {GB}), as well as good sire Chieftain (Bold Ruler) and the dam of outstanding European sire Alzao (Lyphard).

Nellie L. (1940, Blenheim II {GB}–Nellie Flag, by American Flag), bred by Calumet Farm: Among the Grade I winners of the last 50 years tracing to this 1943 Oaks winner are champion and Kentucky Derby winner Bold Forbes (Irish Castle), who was her grandson, and Life At the Top (Seattle Slew), Saratoga Six (Alydar), Lakeway (Seattle Slew), Jilbab (A.P. Indy), and England's Dunbeath (Grey Dawn II {Fr}).

Miss Dogwood (1939, Bull Dog {Fr}–Myrtlewood, by Blue Larkspur), bred by Brownell Combs: Breed-shaping sire Mr. Prospector (Raise a Native) is a grandson of her daughter Sequence (Count Fleet), who is also the ancestress of GISWs Sewickley (Star de Naskra), Shared Interest (Pleasant Colony), Forestry (Storm Cat), and Cash Run (Seeking the Gold), as well as Canadian Broodmare of the Year Amelia Bearhart (Bold Hour) and her dual Canadian Horse of the Year son Chief Bearhart (Chief's Crown), who was also a U.S. champion.

Breed-shaping sire Mr. Prospector traced to 1942 Oaks winner
Miss Dogwood | Dell Hancock

Two Bob (1933, The Porter–Blessings, by Chicle {Fr}), bred by C. V. Whitney: What a mare. Her Hall of Fame daughter Two Lea (Bull Lea) produced Hall of Famer and 1958 Kentucky Derby winner Tim Tam (Tom Fool), as well as seven-time black-type winner and sire On-and-On. Another daughter founded the Chris Evert (Swoon's Son) line, the latter being a Hall of Famer whose descendants include champion Chief's Crown (Danzig), MGISWs Sightseek (Distant View) and Tates Creek (Rahy), and so many more top horses. Derby winning filly Winning Colors (Caro {Ire}) also is a direct descendant of Two Bob, as is solid sire Best Turn (Turn-to {Ire}), and a slew of other high-caliber horses.

Fiji (1931, Bostonian–O Girl, by Ormondale), bred by Jack S. Young and Tom B. Young: A daughter produced 1953 Kentucky Derby winner Dark Star, the only horse to defeat Native Dancer, and a granddaughter produced 1964 Kentucky Oaks winner Blue Norther.

Alcibiades (1927, Supremus–Regal Roman {GB}, by Roi Herode {Fr}), bred by Hal Price Headley: Four of her eight foals were black-type winners, including champion and influential sire Menow (Pharamond II {GB}). European champion and another influential sire in Sir Ivor (Sir Gaylord) descended from an Alabama-winning daughter, while a slew of other high-class stakes winners trace to her.

Black Maria (1923, Black Toney–Bird Loose {Fr}, by Sardanapale {Fr}), bred by Himyar Stud or Colonel E. R. Bradley (conflicting accounts): She had only one foal, but one was all she needed. Her descendants include Preakness winner and excellent sire Polynesian, of course responsible for Native Dancer.

Audience (1901, Sir Dixon–Sallie McClelland, by Hindoo), bred by Mrs. Byron McClelland): Among her foals were Whisk Broom II (Broomstick), an eventual Hall of Famer who won major races in both the U.S. and England before becoming a top sire, and Matinee, a blue hen for the Whitneys whose descendants include Hall of Famer Top Flight (Dis Donc {Fr}).

Modesty (1881, War Dance–Ballet, by Planet), bred by George H. Clay: A number of stakes winners trace to this grand chestnut, most notably Regret (Broomstick), the first female winner of the Kentucky Derby in 1915. The GIII Modesty S., to be run on the Oaks undercard after moving to Churchill from Arlington, is named after her.

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Background Check: Alcibiades

In this continuing series, we examine the past winners of significant filly/mare races by the lasting influence they've had on the breed. Up today is Keeneland's GI Darley Alcibiades S., a race with a number of notable producers to its credit.

Keeneland's first president, Hal Price Headley, held that position until 1951. The next year, the Alcibiades S. was inaugurated in honor of his exceptional homebred two-time champion. The Kentucky Oaks winner was an even better broodmare than racehorse. Among her best foals were champion and influential sire Menow, while European champion, Epsom Derby winner, and excellent sire Sir Ivor hailed from a line established by her Alabama S.-winning daughter Salaminia.

Headley must have had a proud moment in 1959 when Rash Statement, a granddaughter of Alcibiades bred by his daughter, Alice Chandler, won the race. Another of the mare's granddaughters, Supple, had been third in 1955.

The Alcibiades is in its 20th year of being sponsored by Darley. Four Alcibiades winners have gone on to capture the GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies, most recently in 2019 (British Idiom).

With 70 previous winners of the Alcibiades, two have already been featured in our “Background Checks” for the GI Test S. and GIII Schuylerville S.; please see those earlier profiles for notes on the sensational Claiborne homebred Moccasin and the instrumental Erdenheim Farms homebred Patelin.

Following are the some of the other most important Alcibiades winners by what impact they have had on the sport through their sons and daughters.

Runway Model (2002, Petionville–Ticket to Houston, by Houston): Her Street Sense son, McKinzie, won four Grade I races and placed in another four. He's a popular new stallion at Gainesway, having bred over 200 mares in his first season at stud, the results of which will first hit the market as weanlings next month. McKinzie's breeder, Summer Wind, had purchased the Everest Stables-bred Runway Model for $2.7 million in 2006 at Keeneland November.

Take Charge Lady (1999, Dehere–Felicita, by Rubiano): Bred by William Schettine, this Broodmare of the Year has been spectacular in her second career. She produced three GISWs–champion Will Take Charge, Take Charge Indy, and As Time Goes By–and her daughters have been tremendous conduits for class. She is the granddam of champion Take Charge Brandi, MGISW and young sire Omaha Beach, and this year's 23-length GIII Dwyer S. winner and GI Florida Derby runner-up Charge It. Take Charge Lady famously sold for $4.2 million in 2004; daughter Lady Take Charge sold for $3.2 million in 2015; daughter I'll Take Charge for $2.2 million in 2013; daughter Charming for $3.2 million in 2006; and granddaughter Take Charge Brandi has sold three times as a broodmare for a combined total of $10,350,000.

Cara Rafaela (1993, Quiet American–Oil Fable, by Spectacular Bid): Mike G. Rutherford bred and sold this lovely gray, whose fifth foal, champion and Classic winner Bernardini, propelled her to Broodmare of the Year honors in 2006. Despite siring a number of top runners, Bernardini's heaviest impact seems as if it will be through his daughters and he currently leads the broodmare sire list in North America. Bernardini died at only 18 in 2021; Cara Rafaela is also the granddam of MGISW Love and Pride.

Eliza (1990, Mt. Livermore–Daring Bidder, by Bold Bidder): An Allen Paulson homebred during his decade or so reign at the top of the sport, Eliza initially didn't have much success as a broodmare, but a growing number of stakes performers trace to her. Most significant is GI Florida Derby winner and current top 30 active North American sire of 2022, Dialed In.

Spinning Round (1989, Dixieland Band–Take Heart, by Secretariat): Her first daughter, Dream Supreme, won the GI Test, GI Ballerina, and more, then made the transition into a lovely producer of three stakes winners, the best of which was 2007 GI Hopeful S. winner Majestic Warrior, now a stallion in Japan. Spinning Round, also granddam of Peruvian champion Kung Fu Mambo (Arg), was bred in Florida by Kinsman Stud Farm.

Reigning 2yo filly champ Echo Zulu traces to the 1956 Alcibiades winner | Coady

Silent Account (1983, Private Account–Ciao, by Silent Screen): Several nice stakes winners trace to this Mill Ridge Farm-bred winner, the best of which is $4.2-million Whisper Hill purchase Plum Pretty, whose wins included the GI Kentucky Oaks and GI Apple Blossom H.

Fairway Fun (1962, Prince John–Fast Line, by Mr. Busher): This Elmendorf-bred mare might be the most prolific stakes producer of the Alcibiades aggregate. She produced four black-type winners herself–MGSW Fairway Flyer (who also won the Clark H. as a 3-year-old filly over older males before the graded system kicked in), GSW Torsion, SW & MGSP Fairway Fable, and SW Fun Forever–as well as quite a number of top-notch descendants, including European champion Muhtathir (GB) and GISW and producer Cara Rafaela (above).

Journalette (1959, Summer Tan–Manzana, by Count Fleet): Leslie Combs II and Brownell Combs bred the 1961 winner, whose only two foals were 1972 champion older mare Typecast and additional SW Society Column. The former produced Japanese champion Pretty Cast, while the latter produced G1 Irish St. Leger winner Leading Counsel and has an eye-catching 75 stakes performers tracing to her.

Leallah (1954, Nasrullah {GB}–Lea Lark, Bull Lea): Champion Echo Zulu; Breeders' Cup winner Singletary; MGISW Voodoo Dancer; GISWs Engine One, Sippican Harbor, Pool Play, and Echo Town; and English G1 winner Peter Davies are just a few of the more modern stakes winners tracing to Leallah. Bred by Charlton Clay, the mare's most successful runner among her immediate offspring was MSW Go Marching, who won a trio of turf stakes that would eventually be graded.

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Brad Cox Hoping To Add To His Breeders’ Cup Lineup At Keeneland This Weekend

Trainer Brad Cox unleashed a couple of coming attractions here last fall for the Breeders' Cup World Championships at Keeneland when Essential Quality and Aunt Pearl (IRE) used Keeneland stakes victories as a springboard to respective triumphs in the TVG Juvenile (G1) Presented by Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance and Juvenile Fillies Turf (G1).

Cox is hoping for a repeat performance in a trio of upcoming Breeders' Cup Challenge races, which provide the winners with a fees-paid berth into their respective races at Del Mar Nov. 5-6.

Friday's 1 1/16-mile Darley Alcibiades (G1) is first for Cox with a spot in the $2 million Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies (G1) Nov. 5 on the line. Cox won the Darley Alcibiades in 2019 with British Idiom, who came back four weeks later to win the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies at Santa Anita.

This year, he has Godolphin's Matareya and Albaugh Family Stables' Juju's Map in the race.

“We have always thought highly of her,” Cox said of Matareya, who won her lone start by 4½ lengths at Ellis Park on Aug. 20. “Juju's Map, I like her a lot. She is a little more seasoned than Matareya, and she has won at a mile (at Ellis Park).”

Cox plans to run Shortleaf Stable's Vivar in Sunday's 1 1/16-mile Castle & Key Bourbon (G2), a “Win and You're In” race for the $1 million Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf (G1), also on Nov. 5.

“He ran well at Kentucky Downs,” Cox said of Vivar, who won going a mile as the 1-2 favorite. “He finished well.”

Hoping to follow in Aunt Pearl's footsteps for Cox is Dawn and Ike Thrash's Turnerloose, who is being pointed to next Wednesday's 1 1/16-mile JPMorgan Chase Jessamine (G2), a “Win and You're In” race for the $1 million Juvenile Fillies Turf on Nov. 5.

“I like her a lot, too,” Cox said of Turnerloose, who has won twice going a mile with the latter score coming in the Aristocrat Juvenile Fillies (L) at Kentucky Downs on Sept. 6.

Cox, whose 1-2 punch of Essential Quality and Knicks Go is targeting the $6 million Breeders' Cup Classic (G1), plans to run Juddmonte's Bonny South in Sunday's 1 1/8-mile Juddmonte Spinster (G1). The Juddmonte Spinster is a “Win and You're In” race for the $2 million Breeders' Cup Distaff (G1).

“She's doing very well, and her last two works at Churchill Downs have been very good,” Cox said of Bonny South, who won the Baird Doubledogdare (G3) here in April. “We will see if she can close the gap on Letruska a little more.”

Bonny South has chased Letruska twice in 2021, finishing second by 2 ¾ lengths in the Ogden Phipps (G1) and in her most recent start was second by a half-length in the Personal Ensign (G1).

Cox already has Shedaresthedevil targeting the Breeders' Cup Distaff and is considering Donegal Racing's Ready to Purrform, winner of last Saturday's Laurel Futurity, for the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf.

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Stakes Winner Runup Headlines Field Of 12 In Friday’s Alcibiades

A field of a dozen 2-year-old fillies, headed by Sorority winner Runup, was entered Tuesday for the 70th running of the $400,000 Darley Alcibiades (G1) that serves as the centerpiece of Friday's opening program of the Fall Meet at Keeneland.

The 1 1/16-mile main track test is a Breeders' Cup Challenge race with the winner earning a fees-paid berth into the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies (G1) to be held Nov. 5 at Del Mar.

The Darley Alcibiades will go as the ninth race on Friday's 10-race program with a 5:45 p.m. ET post time. First post is 1 p.m.

Owned and bred by James McIngvale, Runup has won both of her starts on dirt highlighted by the three-length victory at Monmouth in the one-mile Sorority in her first two-turn test. Trained by Laura Wohlers, Runup will be ridden by Joseph Ramos and leave from post position 12.

Another entrant with two-turn experience is Mama Rina, runner-up in the Pocahontas (G3) last month while going 1 1/16 miles at Churchill Downs. Owned by the partnership of Harold Lerner, AWC Stables, Nehoc Stables, Scott Akman and Paul Braverman et al, and trained by five-time Alcibiades winner Kenny McPeek, Mama Rina will be ridden by Julien Leparoux from post position six.

Three runners coming out of Grade 1 tests are in the field: Sequist and Dream Lith, the fourth- and fifth-place finishers in the 7-furlong Spinaway Sept. 5 at Saratoga, and Myfavoritedaughter, fourth in the 7-furlong TVG Del Mar Debutante Sept. 5.

Owned by West Point Thoroughbreds, Lori Gervais, Charles Pigg, Tom Andres and Karen Kraft and trained by Dallas Stewart, Sequist won on debut at Colonial Downs before going to the Spinaway. Junior Alvarado has the mount from post position three.

Cypress Creek Equine and Arnold Bennewith's Dream Lith won her debut outing by 2¼ lengths at Saratoga prior to the Spinaway. Robertino Diodoro trains Dream Lith, who will exit post position four under Adam Beschizza.

Average Joe Racing Stables' Myfavoritedaughter took three tries to notch her first victory, which came by 25 lengths over a sloppy track going 7 furlongs at Gulfstream Park prior to going to Del Mar. Trained by Jeff Engler, Myfavoritedaughter will be ridden by Corey Lanerie out of post position five.

The field for the Darley Alcibiades, with riders from the inside, is:

Juju's Map (Florent Geroux)
Miss Interpret (Jose Ortiz)
Sequist (Albarado)
Dream Lith (Beschizza)
Myfavoritedaughter (Lanerie)
Mama Rina (Julien Leparoux)
Matareya (Joel Rosario)
Distinctlypossible (Tyler Gaffalione)
Pipeline Girl (James Graham)
Penny Saver (Brian Hernandez Jr.)
Diamond Wow (Mike Smith)
Runup (Ramos).

All starters carry 122 pounds.

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