Untapable dominates to win Kentucky Oaks

By: SPORTS NETWORK

Louisville, KY (SportsNetwork.com) - Even-money favorite Untapable took control at the top of the stretch and ran away to win Friday's $1 million Kentucky Oaks at Churchill Downs. The 1 1/8-mile race for 3-year-old fillies is the companion event to Saturday's 140th Kentucky Derby.

Trained by Steve Asmussen and ridden by Rosie Napravnik, Untapable was racing fourth in the 12-horse field after starting from the far outside post. The field was being led up the backstretch by Sugar Shock with My Miss Sophia running second.

Untapable was on the outside around both turns and was allowed to easily gain on the leaders coming into the stretch. The filly gained the lead approaching the furlong pole and then ran away to eventually post a 4 1/2-length victory before 113,071 fans.

"She was really great, you know," Napravnik said after winning her second Oaks. "We ended up with the outside post. I wasn't worried about the post like some people were. We got into a great position. She runs her best when she can just get into a great stride. And she relaxes so nicely. She's growing up, maturing and she is magnificent."

Finishing second was My Miss Sophia followed by Unbridled Forever, Rosalind and Thank You Marylou, Ria Antonia, Got Lucky, Sugar Shock, Aurelia's Belle, Please Explain, Fashion Plate, and Kiss Moon. Empress of Midway was scratched after acting up in the starting gate and losing her balance.

The time for the Kentucky Oaks was 1:48.68 on a fast track. The time was only 4/100ths of a second off the stakes record.

Owned by Winchell Thoroughbreds, Untapable gained her largest paycheck with the $600,000 by winning the Oaks. The 3-year-old has earned $1,148,125 in seven lifetime starts with five wins.

She was coming off consecutive victories at Fair Grounds to begin 2014. The filly won the Rachel Alexandra by 9 1/2 lengths on Feb. 22 and captured the Fair Grounds Oaks five weeks later by 7 3/4 lengths.

Untapable won her first two starts last year, both at Churchill, but was eased in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies at Santa Anita last November.

Napravnik previously won the Kentucky Oaks two years ago aboard Believe You Can.

Untapable returned $4.00, $3.20 and $2.60. My Miss Sophia paid $4.20 and $4.40, and Unbridled Forever paid $6.00 to show.