Plum Pretty, Zazu square off in Hollywood Oaks

Kentucky Oaks (G1) vixen PLUM PRETTY (Medaglia d'Oro) and Joyful Victory

(Tapit), fourth as the 2-1 favorite in the Oaks, were originally scheduled to

face off for a second straight time on Saturday in the Mother Goose S. (G1) at

Belmont Park.

However, after spiking a temperature earlier this week, Plum Pretty stayed at

her California base and instead will take on Kentucky Oaks third ZAZU (Tapit) in

the $150,000

Hollywood Oaks (G2) going 1 1/16 miles on the same day. The Bob Baffert

trainee will now meet only four rivals at Hollywood Park in her first race back

since surprising the Kentucky Oaks with a neck score.

Plum Pretty romped by 25 lengths in the Sunland Park Oaks in New Mexico prior

to her run under the Twin Spires, but the bay lass actually began her career

during the Oak Tree meet that took place at Hollywood last October. She captured

her maiden debut by a head over the Cushion Track, then made her sophomore bow

in the Santa Ynez S. (G2) at Santa Anita, finishing third. Another third, this

time in the Las Virgenes S. (G1), followed, and Plum Pretty made her first trip

outside of California when showing up at Sunland Park to dominate in her first

race past a mile.

Martin Garcia has the call on Saturday aboard Plum Pretty, who will tote the

top weight of 123 pounds

Zazu was the second favorite in the Kentucky Oaks at 7-2, and put in a game

rally to close from the rear and be third by 2 3/4 lengths. She actually beat

Plum Pretty by 5 1/2 lengths when taking the Las Virgenes, and followed that

race with a neck second in the Santa Anita Oaks (G1). The John Sadler charge

also began her career on Hollywood's Cushion Track, and keeps regular rider Joel

Rosario aboard.

While Plum Pretty and Zazu are the top draws in the Hollywood Oaks, BIG TIZ

(Tiznow) has a shot to upset the applecart after a runner-up finish in the

Railbird S. (G3) over the track. The Mark Glatt pupil was second behind

Turbulent Descent (Congrats) in the Hollywood Starlet (G1) going the 8

1/2-furlong distance, and gets a 10-pound weight break from Plum Pretty. Patrick

Valenzuela retains the mounts.

LOVE THEWAY YOUARE (Arch), a well-beaten fourth in the Black-Eyed Susan S.

(G2) last out, will be trying the Cushion Track for only the third time, while

dual turf stakes-placed WALLSTREETER (Street Cry [Ire]) was far back in her only

two tries on the synthetic surface.