By Christie DeBernardis
With a trio of prestigious Grade I victories already under her belt, Abel Tasman (Quality Road) is the clear divisional leader and looks to further cement her status in the GI Cotillion S. at Parx Saturday. Charging from last to first to win the GI Kentucky Oaks at odds of 9-1 May 5, the Bob Baffert pupil followed suit with a one-length tally over Salty (Quality Road) in Belmont's GI Acorn S. June 10. The bay scored a narrow victory over next-out GI Alabama S. winner Elate (Medaglia d'Oro) in Saratoga's GI CCA Oaks July 23, surviving an inquiry in the process.
Winner of the GII Gulfstream Park Oaks earlier this term, Salty has been knocking at the door of a Grade I win, but keeps falling short at the hooves of favored Abel Tasman. Fifth in the Run for the Lillies prior to her runner-up effort in the Acorn, the bay checked in third in the CCA Oaks and completed the trifecta again in the Alabama Aug. 19.
“TDN Rising Star” It Tiz Well (Arch), victress of the GIII Honeybee S. earlier this term, makes another trip east from California in search of her first top-level success. The dark bay captured the GIII Delaware Oaks July 8 and was most recently second in the Alabama.
Hall of Famer Bill Mott sends out an intriguing contender at a bit of a price in Juddmonte's Lockdown (First Defence), a full-sister to champion Close Hatches. Second behind a runaway winner in the GII Gazelle S., the homebred finished third in the Kentucky Oaks and was second next out in Belmont's GI Mother Goose S. July 1. The bay checked in sixth last time in the Alabama, but enters off a best-of-80 half-mile breeze in :47 3/5 at Belmont Sept. 17.
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