Indian Blessing, Proud Spell in virtual match race

Indian Blessing will try to extend her record to a perfect six-for-six in the Fair Grounds Oaks (Fair Grounds Race Course/Lynn Roberts Photo)

INDIAN BLESSING (Indian Charlie) and PROUD SPELL (Proud Citizen) will square

off in a virtual match race in Saturday's $400,000 Fair Grounds Oaks (G2). Only

two other sophomore fillies are entered in the 1 1/16-mile event, and both of

them appear to be overmatched.

For Proud Spell, it will mark the third straight time that she will race

against Indian Blessing, who defeated her in both the Breeders' Cup Juvenile

Fillies (G1) and the Silverbulletday S. (G3). The Larry Jones trainee has the

home-track advantage and will seek to turn the tables on her rival. Last year,

the bay filly won her first three starts, including the Matron S. (G2). As

usual, Gabriel Saez will ride.

Indian Blessing broke her maiden at Saratoga, then recorded impressive

victories in the Frizette S. (G1) and Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies prior to

being named champion two-year-old filly. The unbeaten Bob Baffert trainee began

her three-year-old campaign with a narrow victory in the Santa Ynez S. (G2),

then scored a near front-running victory in the Silverbulletday, which was

decided at this track and trip four weeks ago. Garrett Gomez will return in the

saddle.