Small Apple Blossom Field
At 1h21, on April 13, 2023 • By NEWSROOM
Trainer D. Wayne Lukas’ barn has been the home to some of the greatest stars of the last 40 years.
In time, it will be interesting to see if his filly Secret Oath joins that select company.
She’s certainly been brilliant at times, winning last year’s Kentucky Oaks (G1). The hickory part is coming to the fore now as a 4-year-old.
She won the March 11 Azeri Stakes (G2) at Oaklawn Park by a clear 2 3/4-length margin, and on April 15 she will be back at the Arkansas track, trying to add even more glitter to her resume when she faces just three rivals in the $1 million Apple Blossom Handicap (G1).
Secret Oath, who is likely to target the $750,000 La Troienne Stakes (G1) May 5 at Churchill Downs if plans turn to fruition, will carry highweight of 123 pounds, including jockey Tyler Gaffalione, who rode her for the first time in the Azeri. That’s one pound more than the Steve Asmussen-trained Clairiere.
A homebred 5-year-old daughter of Curlin , Clairiere was also making her first start since the Distaff, when she battled with determination through a frenzied race to the wire, but finished third, beaten two noses for first in the grade 1 test at Keeneland. Sent off as the 6-5 favorite in the Azeri, the Cotillion and Ogden Phipps Stakes (G1) winner was eighth early and then ran into some traffic issues at the 3/16ths pole, costing her any chance of collaring Secret Oath.
