A pair of graded stakes winning OBS graduates will start in Friday’s Kentucky Oaks (G1) at Churchill Downs.
Trainer D. Wayne Lukas sends out Aaron Sones’ Lemon Muffin (Collected – Pelt). The daughter of OBS graduate Collected, who broke her maiden in Oaklawn’s Honeybee Stakes (G3), has compiled a 7-1-4-0 record and has earned $324,000. Keith Asmussen will ride from post six. At the 2023 OBS Spring Sale, she was purchased out of the Dark Star Thoroughbreds consignment for $140,000 by Bruno DeBerdt, Agent, after breezing an Under Tack eighth in :10 flat. watch her under tack video Spring Sale walking video
Lea Farms, LLC’s Power Squeeze (Union Rags – Callmethesqueeze) comes into the race after taking the Gulfstream Park Oaks (G2) in her last start. It was the third stakes victory for the filly by Union Rags, purchased for $90,000 out of the Halcyon Hammock consignment at the 2023 OBS Spring Sale after turning in an Under Tack eighth in:10 1/5. Trained by Jorge Delgado, she’s now 6-4-1-0 and has earned $337,450 and will break from post twelve under Daniel Centeno. watch her under tack video Spring Sale walking video
The Kentucky Derby (G1) has drawn a trio of OBS graduates.
Trainer Brad Cox sends out Qatar Racing, LLC, Resolute Racing and Marc Detampel’s Just a Touch (Justify – Touching Beauty). The lightly raced colt byJustify broke his maiden at first asking in January and comes into the Derby off consecutive second place finishes in the Gotham (G3) and Blue Grass (G1). He’ll break from post eight under Florent Geroux. Consigned by Scanlon Training & Sales, Agent, to the 2023 OBS Spring Sale, he was sold for $300,000 after breezing an Under Tack eighth in: 9 4/5. He’s now 3-1-2-0 and has earned $281,700. watch his under tack video Spring Sale walking video
Granpollo Stables LLC’s Grand Mo the First (Uncle Mo – Lilies So Fair), third in the Florida Derby last time out, was also on the board in the Tampa Bay Derby (G3), Zuma Beach (G3) and Swale Stakes. Trained by Victor Barboza, Jr., the Uncle Mo colt has compiled a 6-2-0-4 record and earned $214,650. Emisael Jaramillo has the mount and he’ll break from post 16. Offered by Golden Rock Thoroughbreds at the 2023 OBS March Sale, he went through the ring after breezing an Under Tack eighth in :10 flat. watch his under tack video
Average Joe Racing Stables, Ltd. and Dan Wells’ Mugatu (Blofeld – Union Way) is on the also eligible list for trainer Jeff Engler with Joe Talamo named to ride. The son of Blofeld comes in with a 12-1-1-3 record and $80,570 in earnings. At the 2023 OBS Spring Sale, he breezed an eighth in :10 3/5 and was purchased for $14,000 out of the Wavertree Stables consignment. watch his under tack video Spring Sale walking video