Joyful Victory Faces Twelve in Kentucky Oaks

Joyful Victory will break from the rail when she faces twelve others in Friday's nine furlong Kentucky Oaks (G1) at Churchill Downs.

Larry Jones trains the daughter of Tapit for Fox Hill Farms and she inherited the role of Oaks favorite following the defection of R Heat Lightning on Monday. Joyful Victory was on cruise control earlier this year in the Honeybee (G3) and Fantasy (G2) at Oaklawn Park and a similar effort on Friday would make the 5-2 morning line favorite one tough customer.

The Oaks is hardly a walkover and Kathmanblu should offer stiff competition. Ken McPeek's consistent filly exits a disappointing show finish as the favorite in the Ashland (G1) but that race was on synthetic footing. She romped in the Golden Rod (G2) at Churchill Downs last fall and could return to top form on conventional dirt. She is the 4-1 co second choice with Zazu.  

Grade 1 winner Zazu makes her first start in more than two months for John Sadler and she should be running late under Joel Rosario. She has been working steadily since late March and should be fit with multiple six and seven furlong works under her belt.

The 2011 Kentucky Oaks field also includes Ashland (G1) winner Lilacs And Lace (12-1), Fair Grounds Oaks (G2) winner Daisy Devine (20-1), and Bourbonette Oaks (G3) romper Summer Soiree (5-1).    

Suave Voir Faire (50-1), Her Smile (20-1), Bouquet Booth (20-1), Street Storm (50-1), Holy Heavens (50-1), Plum Pretty (5-1), and St. John's River (30-1) round out the baker's dozen.