Plum Pretty wins Kentucky Oaks

By Saniya Ghanoui — 05/06/11
Plum Pretty was more the peach of the race.
The 3-year-old filly exploded out of the starting line gates to win first place and the $1 million purse in the Kentucky Oaks 137 at Churchill Downs. Owner John Fort said his horse was “relaxed” at the start of the race and jockey Martin Garcia let the filly take control as they neared the end.
Summer Soiree started out early leading up the backstretch and into the far turn. Plum Pretty created a sizeable lead over St. John’s River and jockey Rosie Napravnik in the final turn, giving the filly all she needed to win.
Plum Pretty finished the 1 1/8 mile race in 1:49:50, handing trainer Bob Baffert his second Oaks win. Twelve years ago he won with Silverbulletday. Tomorrow Baffert will race in the Kentucky Derby with horse Midnight Interlude.
The Oaks favored horse at 2-1 was Joyful Victory who took third behind Zazu.