Lovely Maria Stunning in the Kentucky Oaks

The 141st edition of the Kentucky Oaks is now in the record books. Kerwin Clark, who won only the second Grade 1 victory in his career, piloted Lovely Maria to a 2 ¾ length victory. 

The daughter of second crop sire Majesticperfection saved ground in fourth place early on, tipped out for the stretch run, putting away Angela Renee and opening up on the field. Shook Up finished second, a length ahead of I'm A Chatterbox, while the favorite Stellar Wind checked in fourth. The final time for the nine furlongs was 1:50.45.

Clark, who had previously guided Lovely Maria to a victory in the Grade 1 Ashland, was understandably emotional after the race. While guiding the filly back to the winner’s circle, Kerwin stated, “This is unbelievable, I didn’t this was ever going to happen to me. I thought my opportunity was gone. This was just a blessing. It doesn’t get any better than this. I’m just so blessed to be here.”

“I’ve been riding for 40 years and I won my first Grade I last month at Keeneland (in the Ashland) with this horse. Then we won this race today. I am very blessed. Blessed to have this horse; to have (trainer) Larry Jones in my life and believing in me, and to have Mr. (Brereton) Jones believe in me and stick with me.”

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Trainer Larry Jones conditioned Lovely Maria and trained 2008 Oaks winner Proud Spell and 2012 heroine Believe You Can. All three of those Oaks winning fillies are owned by Governor Brereton C. Jones.   

LOVELY MARIA (Majesticperfection - Thundercup, by Thunder Gulch) was bred by Olin B. Gentry & Thomas B. Gaines. The filly was a $5,000 (RNA) weanling at the Keeneland November 2012 sale. Brereton Jones purchased the filly privately.  Lovely Maria paid $14.60, $7.80, $5.40. Lovely Maria’s damsire is Kentucky Derby hero Thunder Gulch.  Her dam is a half sister to Pimlico Distaff heroine Rare Blend, who is the dam of Rare Gift, winner of the 1 ¼ mile Ladies Handicap.