LOUISVILLE – Under a well-timed ride by Chris McCarron, 20-1 shot Farda Amiga circled the field on the far turn and overtook 8-5 front-running favorite Take Charge Lady in deep stretch to win yesterday’s 128th running of the Grade 1, $500,000 Kentucky Oaks by 11/4 lengths. The time for the mile-and-an-eighth was 1:50.2.
Habibti finished third, with 2-1 second choice You fourth. Victor Espinoza, the rider of Habibti, had to check in midstretch when he ran up on the winner’s heels as she went past and claimed foul, but the stewards absolved Farda Amiga of interference.
Take Charge Lady, coming off three stakes victories this year by an average of six lengths, gunned for the lead from post 9 under Tony D’Amico and set a solid pace of :23.1 and :47.4. Around the far turn, she turned back a bid from You and scooted away to open daylight. But after straightening into the stretch, Farda Amiga – who closed from far back for fourth last out in the Santa Anita Oaks making her first start on dirt – came with a relentless charge.
Farda Amiga, a daughter of Broad Brush, paid $42 in topping a $168.40 exacta.