Kentucky Oaks prep: Queen Azteca may step up in Dubai

The Grade 3 UAE Oaks on Friday at Meydan may give the winner a starting berth at Churchill Downs on May 2 by awarding 50 points on the road to the Kentucky Oaks (G1) to the winner.

That would be a remarkable feat for Norway-trained Queen Azteca, who beat six of Friday’s rivals in the Cocoa Beach Stakes over a mile on the same course last time out and who is expected to enjoy the 1 3/16 miles of the UAE Oaks even more.

“Queen Azteca has come on for the race and will benefit from a little bit further,” trainer Niels Petersen said. “The opposition will be pretty much the same, so of course we are optimistic. But most importantly the filly just looks like she’s getting better and better.

“It’s a big race for us coming here for so many years. It means a lot to us if we’re able to pull this one off, because we know it’s very difficult to win here.”

Queen Azteca is owned by Glaesner Racing. A filly by Sharp Azteca out of Palace Malice mare Princesa Helena, she bred in Kentucky at Three Chimneys Farm. She was sold for about $40,000 at a Tattersalls online sale in May.

Trainer Nicolas Caullery takes his chance with Mistysea, who tried dirt for the first time when she finished fifth in the Cocoa Beach on Jan. 17.

“She recovered well and took her race quite easy,” Caullery’s wife and assistant Marine Henry said. “I expect a good run, because last time she wasn’t ready as she didn’t travel over that well. Now we know she can go on the dirt.”

The UAE Oaks will award 50-25-15-10-5 points to the top five finishers. Unlike the UAE Derby (G2), which was merged with the Europe road to the Kentucky Derby, the fillies prep remains on the same road as U.S. points races for the Kentucky Oaks.

Friday’s eight-race card includes local trials for Dubai World Cup (G1) night April 5. The Balanchine (G2), the Nad Al Sheba Trophy (G3) and the listed Al Bastakiya are part of the program that starts at 8:30 a.m. EST. The UAE Oaks will be run at 10:15 a.m.