Central - It's not often that a filly based at Kentucky's Ellis Park runs in the Kentucky Oaks (Grade I), much less comes into the race as a major contender.

But Ruby's Reception proved in her stretch-running victory in Friday's $200,000 Fantasy Stakes (Grade II) at Oaklawn Park that she could be such a filly - if veteran trainer Larry Jones decides to take her to Churchill Downs for the race.

The daughter of Rubiano tracked a rapid pace and rallied five-wide under jockey Terry Thompson to defeat California invaders Harbor Blues and Go For Glamour by 2 ¼-lengths. Ruby's Reception, owned by a group of Henderson, Ky. businessmen known as Oasis Racing Stable, covered the 1 1/16 miles in 1:44.61 over a "fast" track.

"I felt good when I saw the half in :45-and-change and three of them going for the lead and we were in back," said Jones. "That was OK with me."

Ruby's Reception improved her record to 4-3-1 in nine races - with her lone poor effort coming when she injured an ankle in a 10th place finish behind champion Storm Flag Flying in last year's Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies (GI) at Arlington Park. Jones gave her the winter off and brought her back to competition in a runner-up finish to Carl Pollard's My Trusty Cat in Oaklawn's Honeybee, a prep for the Fantasy.

The David Vance-trained My Trusty Cat was favored in the Fantasy, but finished a dull fourth.

"My filly just didn't show up," said Vance. "No excuse. She just didn't run her race."

Despite an impressive victory and her Kentucky connections, Ruby's Reception may not contest the state's biggest race for 3-year-old fillies. Jones told reporters after the race that the $125,000 Iowa Oaks on July 4 at Prairie Meadows was a more likely stop for his filly.

One Fantasy starter that is definite for the Oaks is the Beau Greely-trained third-place finisher Go for Glamour, who shipped to Churchill Downs on Sunday.

Heiligbrodt Racing's Lady Tak, winner of the Fair Grounds Oaks (GII) and runner-up to Elloluv in the Ashland (GI) breezed five furlongs Monday at Churchill Downs for trainer Steve Asmussen. The once-beaten filly covered the distance in 1:01 on a "fast" track, the seventh fastest of 24 moves at the distance.

Tracy Farmer's Holiday Lady, third in the Ashland for trainer Nick Zito, breezed four furlongs in :49.40 on Monday over a "fast" surface at Keeneland.

East - Ogden Mills Phipps' unbeaten 2-year-old filly champion Storm Flag Flying completed her preparation for her 2003 debut with a five-furlong breeze on Sunday at Belmont Park.

The Shug McGaughey-trained daughter of Storm Cat covered the distance in 1:01.60 in her final prep for a run in Friday's one-mile Comely Stakes (GIII) at Belmont Park. Storm Flag Flying has not run since her victory in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies (GI) at Arlington Park.

The champion's rivals in the Comely could include Cicada (GIII) winner Cyber Secret and recent Aqueduct allowance winner Bonay.

« Back To Oaks Updates