Untapable Unlucky in Oaks Draw

UNTAPABLE UNLUCKY IN THE OAKS DRAW
    After defeating a total of 10 other rivals in the GIII Rachel Alexandra S. and GII Fair Grounds Oaks over the winter months, Winchell Thoroughbreds LLC’s Untapable (Tapit) will have to best 12 of her peers and will have to do so from the widest post in stall 13 in the $1-million GI Longines Kentucky Oaks Friday afternoon at Churchill Downs. The homebred was installed as the prohibitive 4-5 chalk on Mike Battaglia’s morning line, and indeed–outside of her draw–there is very little to hold against the filly. She is perfect in two appearances beneath the Twin Spires, including a half-length success in the GII Pocahontas S. last September, and, outside of an excusable eighth in the GI Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies, is unbeaten in three start going long on the dirt. Rosie Napravnik, who became the first woman to win the Oaks aboard Believe You Can (Proud Citizen) in 2012, has the call for trainer Steve Asmussen, who took the 2005 Oaks for these same connections with Summerly (Summer Squall). Owner Arnold Zetcher sent out Gabby’s Golden Gal (Medaglia d’Oro) to a distant runner-up effort behind the runaway Rachel Alexandra (Medaglia d’Oro) in the 2009 Oaks, and the former Talbot’s CEO will be represented this time around by 6-1 second choice Fashion Plate (Old Fashioned), who he owns in partnership with Michael Tabor. Trained by Simon Callaghan, the dark bay filly enters this off wins in the GI Las Virgenes S. and GI Santa Anita Oaks and will be ridden by Gary Stevens, who last won the Oaks with Silverbulletday in 1999. Unbridled Forever (Unbridled’s Song), a daughter of 2006 Oaks victress Lemons Forever (Lemon Drop Kid), drew post position nine for owner Charles Fipke and Dallas Stewart, who orchestrated the 47-1 upset eight years back. Todd Pletcher, who saddled last year’s Oaks winner Princess of Sylmar (Majestic Warrior) at odds of 37-1, has two chances to do it again with the GII Gazelle S. one-two finishers. Owned by Mathis Stable LLC, My Miss Sophia (Unbridled’s Song) will exit stall 11, with Hill ‘n’ Dale Equine Holdings Inc & Philip Steinberg homebred Got Lucky (A.P. Indy) beside her in slot 12. If either are successful, Pletcher will be the first trainer since his mentor D. Wayne Lukas to win consecutive renewals of the Oaks. Last year’s Oaks winning jockey, Mike Smith, gets the call on GI Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies heroine Ria Antonia (Rockport Harbor). The Christopher Dunn and Loooch Racing Stable runner drew the two-hole.