Oaks’ Field Looks Strong

In terms of quality, the Kentucky Oaks, which will be run May 3, is looking like it will be a better race than the Kentucky Derby, which follows the next day at Churchill Downs.

Besides Take Charge Lady, who has been very impressive in three victories in 2002 in Louisiana and Kentucky, the Oaks will include You, Habibti and Bella Bellucci.

Trained by Neil Drysdale for owner Michael Tabor, Bella Bellucci looks to be approaching the Oaks the right way, given how easily she captured the $108,200 Comely Sunday at Aqueduct.

Ridden with confidence by Gary Stevens, the 3-year-old daughter of French Deputy dominated at 3-5, beating pacesetter and 16-1 shot Short None by seven lengths.

Now a winner four times in five starts, the 2-year-old purchased for $925,000 completed the mile in 1:352/5.

“It was a nice prep,” said Drysdale, whose filly had won her 2002 debut on March 24 at Santa Anita, rallying from last in the Santa Paula. “I was very pleased. It was just what the doctor ordered.

“I wanted her to have two comfortable races before the Kentucky Oaks. I have no distance concerns with her [the Oaks is 11/8 miles]. Her full brother, Kurofune, won going long in Japan.

“She galloped out very well today and I don’t think she will have a problem with two turns. The 3-year-old filly division is very strong this year. Take Charge Lady has been very impressive.”

Along with stablemate Sunday Break, who will point for the Derby after finishing a perfect-trip third in the Wood Memorial on Saturday, Bella Bellucci will go to Churchill Downs on Tuesday.

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Mountain Rage became the fourth horse to win three stakes at the Santa Anita meet when he rolled to a three-length victory Sunday in the $82,050 La Puente.

Trained by Bob Baffert for a partnership, the 3-year-old son of Mecke and 9-5 favorite had one beat after a half-mile, but rallied strongly to win in 1:344/5 for the mile on turf.

Ridden by Victor Espinoza, Mountain Rage--who had won the Hill Rise and Academy Road earlier in the season-- joined Came Home, Snow Ridge and Megahertz as triple stakes winners at Santa Anita, which concludes its 85-day meet Sunday.

Doc Holiday, the pacesetter and 7-1 fourth choice in the field of eight, held second, a length in front of Stormy Forever, then came 9-5 second choice Johar, Don’t Holler, Night Passion, Dark Sorcerer and Red Briar.

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Trainer Wayne Lukas won three races at Keeneland, including the $272,000 Commonwealth Breeders’ Cup with 5-2 second choice Orientate.

Over a track labeled muddy, Orientate, led throughout in winning for the fifth time in 12 starts, beating 9-5 favorite Aldebaran by 11/4 lengths in 1:212/5 for the seven furlongs.

“He was on cruise control most of the way,” said winning rider Pat Day. “He’s like a little quarter horse leaving the gate. We heard [Aldebaran] coming down the lane, but there was plenty left in the tank.”

Besides Orientate, Lukas also won the fifth with Summer Heat, a debuting Capote filly, and the seventh with 6-1 shot Unbridled Time.