Filly Plenty of Grace Tops Oak Tree Best-of-the-Meet Balloting

Darby Dan Farm’s Plenty of Grace, which registered the biggest upset in the 14-year history of the Yellow Ribbon Stakes, topped best-of-the-meet balloting by the media for the 1990 Oak Tree season at Santa Anita.

Plenty of Grace paid $114 to win after rallying to top a stellar international lineup in the Grade I distaff turf test. She was named both Grass Filly or Mare and 3-year-old Filly champion of the session. The Yellow Ribbon was also named Race of the Meet.

Lively One, winner of the Goodwood Handicap, was named top older horse, while Oeilladine, winner in the Louis R. Rowan Handicap, received older filly or mare honors.

Corwyn Bay, winner of the Ancient Title Breeders’ Cup Handicap, unanimously was named champion sprinter while In Excess, winner of the Volante Handicap, was named top 3-year-old.

Norfolk Stakes winner Best Pal won 2-year-old honors while Oak Leaf Stakes winner Lite Light was named 2-year-old filly winner.

My Sonny Boy, which rose from the claiming ranks to capture the $300,000 California Cup Wells Fargo Bank Classic, was honored as top development while Great Event, winner of the California Cup Starter’s Handicap, was named best claimer.

Rial, winner of the Oak Tree Invitational, was named Grass Horse.

Richard Mandella, who won his first meet title with 12 victories, was named top trainer, while Kent Desormeaux, who led a tight race with 23 victories, was named top jockey. Omar Berrio was honored as the leading apprentice.