Freaky Lady Tak Leaves Fair Grounds Oaks Field In Her Wake
By: John Gaver III

(Mar. 9, 2003) - In the $350,000 Fair Grounds Oaks (GII), the slightly-built chestnut filly Lady Tak proved the adage "sometimes the best things come in small packages" is indeed true, as the undefeated Heiligbrodt Racing Stable star rated kindly, swept to lead at the three-sixteenths pole and cruised to a 3 ½-length win over the multiple stakes winner Atlantic Ocean in the 38th renewal of the mile and a sixteenth test for 3-year-old fillies on Mar. 8 at the New Orleans Fair Grounds.

Belle Of Perintown finished 2 ¼-lengths back in third; Rebridled Dreams, Lovely Sage and Afternoon Dreams completed the official order of finish.

A Kentucky-bred daughter of Mutakddim, Lady Tak broke alertly and was content to track pacesetting Rebridled Dreams and stalking Atlantic Ocean and Belle Of Perintown through slow early fractions of :24.24 for the opening quarter-mile, a half in :48.17 and six furlongs in a lazy 1:13.

Lady Tak eased into contention with no encouragement from jockey Donnie Meche at the quarter pole, collared Atlantic Ocean at the three-sixteenths pole and drew away to a daylight win. Meche never cocked his whip or threw any crosses, he merely leaned forward, dropped his hands, and copper-colored filly was long gone.

"It is very exciting being on a horse is undefeated," Meche said. "She just crushes everything they throw at her. I think we'll see even better ones out there and I think we are ready for them."

Lady Tak covered the mile and a sixteenth distance over a "fast" track in 1:44.36 and returned $4.20, $2.60 and $2.10.

Prior to Saturday's effort, Lady Tak had never been more than a length off the lead in her four previous starts but in the Fair Grounds Oaks, she proved that she is not a one-dimensional speed demon but a handy, versatile filly.

"She deserves all the credit," said Asmussen. "Donnie rode a great race and everything fit. For this filly to be that intelligent to change her style to suit the race at this level of competition, she is more than one in a million."

With the victory, Lady Tak not only improved her lifetime record to a perfect five-for-five and padded her career earnings by $210,000 to $355,920, but also earned a trip to the $500,000 Ashland Stakes (GI), which will be contested at Keeneland Race Course in Lexington, Ky. on Apr. 5. If all goes well in the mile and a sixteenth Ashland, Lady Tak will then aim for the May 2 Kentucky Oaks (GI).

« Back To Oaks News