20-1 Farda Amiga Stuns Top-Class Field In Kentucky Oaks 128

LOUISVILLE, Ky. - Farda Amiga, lightly-raced and lightly-regarded despite the presence of jockey Chris McCarron, wore down 8-5 favorite Take Charge Lady in the final sixteenth to win the $562,100 Kentucky Oaks today before the third largest crowd in Oaks Day history, 101,923.

Farda Amiga, who shipped in Tuesday afternoon from California, was last in the early stages of the mile and one-eighth classic for three-year-old fillies, circled four wide into contention on the final turn and gradually wore down a courageous Take Charge Lady to win by 1 ¼ lenths in 1:50.41 for the distance.

Take Charge Lady, with Tony D'Amico aboard in pursuit of her fourth straight triumph, was in front shortly after breaking from the gate and led until the final sixteenth where she succumbed to the winner's late charge.

Habibti, ridden by Victor Espinoza, rallied to be third, 1 ¼ lengths behind Take Charge Lady and a half-length in front of 2-1 second choice You, piloted by Jerry Bailey. Espinoza claimed foul against Farda Amiga and McCarron after the race, alleging interference in the stretch. However, the stewards disallowed the claim after a study of the videotape.

Farda Amiga, owned by the partnership of Old Friends, Inc., Winner Silk Inc. and Jose de Camargo and trained by Paulo Lobo, who came to the United States from Brazil 16 months ago, earned a prize of $348,502 with her third win in just six starts.

The daughter of Broad Brush had run on the grass four times until tried on the dirt for the first time when she was fourth to You in the Santa Anita Oaks on March 9.

To her backers in the large crowd, the Kentucky-bred filly returned $42.

Note: Friday's win marks McCarron's third career Kentucky Oaks victory (1977, Sweet Alliance; 1990, Seaside Attraction).