KENTUCKY OAKS : Gal In A Ruckus a 34-1 Surprise

Trainer John Ward Jr., who will start longshots Jambalaya Jazz and Pyramid Peak in today’s Kentucky Derby, sprang an upset on a crowd of 87,383 at Churchill Downs Friday when his 34-1 filly, Gal In A Ruckus, won the $361,300 Kentucky Oaks by 1 1/4 lengths over heavily favored Urbane.

Giving Ward his biggest victory, Gal In A Ruckus held off Urbane, who was hindered by other horses at every turn. Urbane, ridden by Eddie Delahoussaye, ran the last sixteenth of a mile with her reins dangling--the knot had become untied.

Nearing the far turn, the leaders were Forested, near the rail, and Gal In A Ruckus, and Delahoussaye tried to edge Urbane between them. Forested, ridden by Jerry Bailey, came out, bumping Urbane and preventing her from getting through the hole.

“Bailey’s horse caught my filly’s back legs and made me drop back,” Delahoussaye said. “I was surprised my filly regained herself. That kick stopped her pretty good. I still don’t know if I’d have beaten that other filly.”

Running 1 1/8 miles in 1:50, Gal In A Ruckus paid $70 to win. Urbane, at 3-10, finished 3 1/2 lengths ahead of Sneaky Quiet, and after them came Naskra Colors, Scratch Paper, Post It, Forested and Cat Appeal. The victory was worth $235,040 to John Oxley, who also owns Jambalaya Jazz and Pyramid Peak.

Gal In A Ruckus, ridden by Herb McCauley, ran only four times before Friday and finished fifth in her only stakes.