Central -- J. Paul Reddam's California invader Elloluv ($6.20) looms as one of the favorites for the 129th running of the Kentucky Oaks (Grade I) after the California invader led every step of the way to win Saturday's $500,000 Ashland Stakes (GI) at Keeneland Race Course.

The Craig Dollase-trained daughter of Gilded Time, who had finished second to the now-retired Composure in the Santa Anita Oaks (GI), turned back a challenge from the previously unbeaten and favored Lady Tak in upper stretch and drew clear to win by 3 3/4-lengths under jockey Robby Albarado. Holiday Lady was third.

The victory was the fourth in seven races for Elloluv, who earned a first-place prize of $342,085 to improve her career earnings to $774,785. She covered the 1 1/16-mile distance over a "fast" track in 1:43.58 after Albarado guided her through easy fractions of :24.63, :48.72, 1:12.56 and 1:37.26.

"Robby did a great job of slowing down the pace," said Dollase. "When he came into the stretch, he let her open up just like you want to do at Keeneland."

The Kentucky-based Albarado picked up the mount on Elloluv when regular jockey Pat Valenzuela elected to stay in California to ride Kafwain in the Santa Anita Derby (GI).

"She broke really sharp and so I let her run a little," he said. "I was surprised that nobody came up and challenged her. I have a feeling, though, that if somebody would have tried to run with her, she would have run away from them anyway."

Yell finished fourth in the Ashland, 9 1/2-lengths behind Elloluv. The order of finish was completed by Allspice, Unbridled Femme and Ivanavinalot.

All seven fillies in the Ashland field were wagering interests in this weekend's first Kentucky Oaks Future Wager. Unbeaten champion Storm Flag Flying ended up as the 7-2 favorite in the four-day pool with Elloluv as the 6-1 second choice.

Awesome Humor breezed the distance in :51.60 at Churchill Downs on Friday as she prepares to run for the first time since she underwent surgery in October to remove bone chips to both ankles.

Walden said the Kentucky Oaks is not an option for the filly, but Belmont's one-mile Acorn (GI) may be.

"We don't want to rush her," he told Thoroughbred Times. "She's doing just fine right now."

Awesome Humor started her career for owner Tom Durant and trainer Ronny Werner, but WinStar purchased the filly after her victory in the Debutante (GIII) at Churchill Downs.

Dubai -- Godolphin's unbeaten Danuta, an easy winner of the UAE Oaks, is no longer being pointed toward the Kentucky Oaks.

Both Danuta and stablemate Inamorato, who had been considered as a strong candidate for the Kentucky Derby (GI), flew to the U.S. on Saturday. Trainer Saeed bin Suroor said they will be stabled at Belmont Park and pointed toward major U.S. races later in the year.

"We have a lot of regard for Inamorato and Danuta, but we also believe that they are not yet ready for big races like the Kentucky Derby or Oaks," bin Suroor told the Gulf News. "Obviously they will contest the other big races, but only if they are ready.

"We have some very nice 3-year-olds and the plan is to take it step-by-step with them as they clearly have a lot of potential."

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