Kentucky Oaks 136 J

(G1), CD, $584,300, 3YO, F, 1 1/8M, 4-30.

In a finish reminiscent of the Las Virgenes S. (G1), Mark Dedomenico LLC,

John Carver and Peter Abruzzo's BLIND LUCK (Pollard's Vision) rallied down the

center of the track and just caught Evening Jewel (Northern Afleet) by a nose on

the wire of Friday's

Kentucky

Oaks (G1) at Churchill Downs. The pair, who first met up in that February 13

test at Santa Anita, had to go an extra eighth of a mile in this affair but the

margin of victory didn't change as Blind Luck wore down her rival once again to

capture her fourth Grade 1 score.

Tidal Pool (Yankee Gentleman) and jockey Calvin Borel went to the front and

slowed the pace down through splits of :23 4/5, :48 and 1:12 2/5 while closely

tracked by Ailalea (Pulpit) to the outside. Meanwhile, jockey Rafael Bejarano

allowed Blind Luck to settle in her normal rear-running position before urging

her on as the field neared the turn. Keeping as close to the inside as she

could, Blind Luck circled her 13 rivals and entered the stretch chasing Evening

Jewel as that one overtook Tidal Pool.

"It was tense enough for a few minutes waiting, but I thought we got

it on the head-bob and we were right," Hollendorfer said. "A great ride

by Rafael got her there. When I bought her, I paid way more than the

$40,000 claiming price, so we always anticipated she would be a stakes

horse. She's delivered."

Blind Luck paid $4.60, $3.60 and $2.80 as the 6-5 favorite and keyed the

$58.40 exacta and $389.80 trifecta. Evening Jewel, who captured the Ashland S.

(G1) by a diminishing neck prior to this one, was worth $9.40 and $7.20 as the

13-1 sixth pick. Pacesetter and 9-1 fourth choice Tidal Pool held to be a game

third in the Oaks, returning $5, and was followed by Beautician (Dehere), who

completed the $4,100.40 superfecta (5-11-8-6) at 19-1.

"That stings," said Kent Desormeaux, who was aboard Evening Jewel.

"This race has eluded me; I really wanted to win it. And I knew turning

for home I was a winner. And I got beat. Really stings."

"Oh, man, that was hard," trainer Jim Cassidy agreed. "We had the

same result in the Las Virgenes at Santa Anita and I though we had won

that one, too. Everyone around us today thought she had won; we did,

too. I knew we did.

"She's a game, game filly. When she saw that other one (Blind Luck)

she dug in and came back at her again. Toughest beat of my career – no

question. I've been beaten some dirty noses in Grade 1s at other tracks,

but given the context here -- Kentucky Oaks, all that money, huge crowd,

this was the toughest one of all."

Ailalea, Amen Hallelujah (Montbrook), Crisp (El Corredor), Quiet Temper (Quiet American), It's Tea Time (Dynaformer), Joanie's Catch (First Tour), Champagne d'Oro (Medaglia d'Oro), Age of Humor (Distorted Humor),

Jody Slew (Slew City Slew) and Bella Diamante (Lost Soldier) rounded out the

order under the wire.

Blind Luck just missed by three parts of a length when third in the Breeders'

Cup Juvenile Fillies (G1), but that narrow loss ultimately ended up costing her

Eclipse Award honors two-year-old filly champion as she finished second in the

voting to Juvenile Fillies winner She Be Wild (Offlee Wild). The filly wrapped

up her juvenile campaign with a seven-length trouncing in the Hollywood Starlet

S. (G1) and opened 2010 with that nose win over Evening Jewel in the Las

Virgenes. Blind Luck then suffered just her third loss when missing in the Santa

Anita Oaks (G1) by two necks to Crisp, but she quickly returned to the winner's

circle next out when shipping to Oaklawn Park in the Fantasy S. (G2), posting a

2 1/2-length score.

Bred by Fairlawn Farm in Kentucky, Blind Luck passed through the sales ring

twice, bringing $11,000 as a Fasig-Tipton July yearling and RNAing for $10,000

at the OBS Spring Sale of Two-Year-Olds in Training in April. The chestnut lass

is the first registered foal out of the winning Lucky One (Best of Luck), who

has since produced an unnamed juvenile colt by Orientate and 2010 filly by

Successful Appeal.