Rags To Riches strikes gold in Kentucky Oaks

By Tom Krish
May 06, 2007

It was a walk in the park for Rags To Riches in the Kentucky Oaks at Churchill Downs on Friday. It was a messy walk because of the sloppy track. Overcast skies and rain that did not go away as the afternoon wore on dampened the spirits of the 100,075 fans in attendance but the victory of Rags To Riches, the 3-2 favorite, was a spirit-lifting occurrence.

Leaving from post-11, Rags To Riches was away fifth, appeared not to get hold of the track and gave an anxious moment or two. However, as the field settled down, she lay sixth and fifth, charged three-wide as they negotiated the final turn, moved into contention with a quarter of a mile to go, took charge midstretch and drew away to win by 4 1/4 lengths. The time for the 9-furlong trip was 1 49.99. Octave ran on to be the bridesmaid to give trainer Todd Pletcher the 1-2 spots.

Dreamin Of Anna, the Breeders Cup Juvenile winner last November, set up shop on the front end. She had no answer when the closers came calling. High Heels took third.

Rags To Riches powers home under Garret Gomez to land the Grade 1 Kentucky Oaks

Rags To Riches has now won four of five lifetime starts. She was beaten in her debut. She won three in a row in California. With her Oaks success, Rags To Riches has won three Grade I events. Her share of the purse was $332,428.00.

Todd Pletcher said, "she's a superstar. What she did today was unbelievable. She is indeed special." Pletcher has five runners in the 20-horse field in Saturday's Derby and has the chance of getting the Oaks-Derby double, a feat last accomplished 55 years ago.

An ecstatic Garrett Gomez showered praise on Rags To Riches. "She was very professional. She has not had dirt hit her. She handled today's situation well."

Rags To Riches in an A P Indy filly. A P Indy's father is Seattle Slew. Better Than Honour, a Deputy Minister mare, is the dam of Rags To Riches.