By Molly Rollins
Friday evening's GIII Iowa Oaks marks the return of Phoenix Thoroughbred III and KatieRich Stables' Lady Apple (Curlin). A buzz horse at Churchill during the week leading up to the GI Kentucky Oaks, she completed a trifecta that paid a whopping $14,043.60 behind Serengeti Empress (Alternation) in that May 3 contest. The Steve Asmussen-trained filly had rattled off three consecutive wins at Oaklawn Park, most notably a determined score in the Apr. 12 GIII Fantasy Oaks S. Lady Apple will be the 121-pound high weight in the seven-horse field.
Ulele (Candy Ride {Arg}) figures to be a prominent contender in the Iowa Oaks after a narrow second behind Point of Honor (Curlin) in the May 17 GII Black-Eyed Susan S. at Pimilco. Picked up by Cheyenne Stables for $300,000 at the Fasig-Tipton Saratoga sale as a yearling, the Brad Cox trainee was awarded a career best 89 Beyer Speed Figure for that effort, which followed a wire-to-wire Keeneland optional claimer tally Apr. 4.
A true “horse for the course” in the race is Mark Norman and Norman Stables's Taylor's Spirit (Algorithms). The $80,000 OBSAPR buy boasts a perfect four-for-four record over the Prairie Meadows oval, including a sweeping victory in the June 6 local prep for the Oaks, the Panthers S.
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