May 2, 1997
LOUISVILLE, Ky. -- Blushing K.D., the second betting choice, took the lead at the top of the stretch and breezed to a 2 1/2-length victory over Tomisue's Delight in the 123rd Kentucky Oaks at Churchill Downs on Friday.
The Oaks is the equivalent of the Kentucky Derby for fillies.
Blushing K.D., Louisiana-based and least known of the three-filly trio that included Sharp Cat and Glitter Woman, pulled ahead at just the right time. As she took command from pace-setter Sharp Cat, the D. Wayne Lukas-trained filly veered off the rail and bumped Majestical Moment, who was just off the lead. Majestical Moment then bounced into 7-5 favorite Glitter Woman, who was on the outside.
MAJESTICAL MOMENT'S JOCKEY, SHANE SELLERS, lodged a foul claim against Sharp Cat and the stewards agreed, dropping Sharp Cat, who finished third, to eighth.
The jostling didn't bother Blushing K.D., who stretched her winning streak to five and now can claim to be the best filly in the land. Trainer Sam David Jr. indicated his filly won't test the boys in the near the future.
The time for 1[ miles was 1:50 1-5 over a fast track that was drenched by a rainstorm minutes before post time, soaking a record Oaks crowd of 92,547.
Blushing K.D., ridden by Lonnie Meche, went off as the second betting choice at 5-2 and returned $7.40, $4 and $3.40. Tomisue's Delight, with Pat Day aboard, paid $4.60 and $3.60.
STORM SONG FINISHED FOURTH BUT WAS moved up to third after Sharp Cat was disqualified. Ridden by Craig Perret, the Nick Zito-trained filly paid $5.60.
Majestical Moment was placed fourth, followed by Buckeye Search, Must Sing, Glitter Woman, Sharp Cat and Anklet.
Glitter Woman was the betting favorite and briefly battled for the lead around the far turn, but was eased up after the bumping incident by jockey Mike Smith, who said the incident wasn't the reason for his problems.
The race shaped up as a three-filly showdown among the best of the East, Midwest and West.
Glitter Woman was the glamour girl of the East, running up a four-race winning streak this year with wins in Florida and a 6 1/2-length triumph in the Ashland Stakes. In the Oaks, she was no match for Blushing K.D., purchased for $25,000 by owners James and Sue Burns.
AND THEN THERE WERE THE ESCAPADES of West Coast star Sharp Cat, the filly Lukas wanted to run in the Derby but was ordered by Prince Ahmed bin Salam of Saudi Arabia, the owner, to stay put in the Oaks.
She got off to her usual fast pace and led the field into the final turn. By the time the field started for home, Blushing K.D. had taken over, but Sharp Cat, Glitter Woman and Majestical Moment were right behind.
But Blushing K.D. was home free, and earned $363,514 from a purse of $584,700. The filly out of Blushing John-Lilac Garden has won her last five races by a combined 32 1/2 lengths. Blushing K.D. has won seven of eight career starts and $787,900.
