Turf Races Highlight Oak Tree Closing

A pair of Grade I stakes races on the turf--the $400,000 Yellow Ribbon Stakes Sunday and the $200,000 Carlton F. Burke Handicap Monday--will highlight the closing days of the 20th Oak Tree meeting at Santa Anita.

Today, the track opens at 9 a.m., with first post for the simulcasting of the 7 Breeders’ Cup races from Churchill Downs in Kentucky set for 11:14. The 4 races on the Oak Tree program include the $75,000-added Morvich Handicap, featuring Perfec Travel, Five Daddy Five and Prince Bobby B.

A field of 12 fillies and mares was entered Friday for the 12th running of the Yellow Ribbon, headed by Annoconnor, winner of the Vanity, Ramona and Las Palmas handicaps this year. Others in the field include Jeanne Jones and Chapel of Dreams, as well as European entries Ashayer, Sudden Love, Lyphka, Gloria’s Dancer and Delighter.

Oak Tree Invitational Stakes winner Nasr el Arab is expected to lead a field of at least nine into Monday’s feature when the entries are drawn today. The Charlie Whittingham-trained colt is trying to become the first 3-year-old to win the stake. Other probable starters are Media Starguest, Putting and Circus Prince.