Good Cheer remains unbeaten after Fair Grounds Oaks

Good Cheer's status as the undefeated Kentucky Oaks (G1) favorite remained unchanged on Saturday after the Godolphin homebred went about her business in the $396,000 Fair Grounds Oaks (G2).

Extending her win streak to six, including four stakes, Good Cheer landed the Fair Grounds Oaks by 3 1/2 lengths as an overwhelming 2-5 favorite in a field of eight.

"The pressure was on and it stays on," winning trainer Brad Cox said. "Hopefully we can have her as good in six weeks as she is now."

Under Luis Saez, Good Cheer raced in perfect striking position as second-time starter Ahavah carved out the pace. Making a wide rally into the stretch, Good Cheer soon took over from that rival and powered home. She finished up 1 1/16 miles over a fast track in 1:43.44. and paid $2.80.

Ahavah held second by 1 1/4 lengths over Gowells Delight, who had to change course when lacking room on a couple occasions during the stretch run. Quickick finished fourth and was followed by Her Laugh, Jenkin, Secret Faith, and Girl Math.

All four of Good Cheer's stakes wins -- the Rags to Riches S., Golden Rod (G2), Rachel Alexandra (G2), and Fair Grounds Oaks -- were in Kentucky Oaks qualifiers, and she heads back to Churchill Downs with 170 points in tow. All were accomplished as an odds-on choice, too, and it would be no surprise to see her hovering in that vicinity again in the Kentucky Oaks market.

Ahavah earned 50 qualifying points for the Oaks, while Gowells Delight increased her total from 16.5 to 41.5. Quickick's total increased from 19 to 34, and Her Laugh bumped her allotment from 20 to 30.

Good Cheer was foaled in Kentucky and was produced by the multiple Grade 1 winner Wedding Toast, a daughter of Street Sense who has also reared Ya Hayati, a stakes winner in Dubai.