Kentucky Oaks trail: Hit Parade earns points in Untapable win

Hit Parade showed grit and determination to capture Saturday's $100,000 Untapable Stakes at Fair Grounds, surviving a stewards' inquiry following a dramatic stretch run.

The homebred filly, owned by Gary and Mary West and trained by Brad Cox, covered the 1-mile, 70-yard distance in 1:42.97 under Luis Saez, outfinishing Luv Your Neighbor by a head. The stewards reviewed late-race contact involving Hit Parade with runner-up Luv Your Neighbor and third-place finisher Pashmina, but the result stood.

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Hit Parade broke sharply and found an inside spot to track pacesetter Pashmina. Luv Your Neighbor settled near the back before mounting a strong rail rally coming out of the far turn. Hit Parade shifted out at the top of the stretch, and as she passed a tiring Pashmina, came in as Luv Your Neighbor rallied to the leader's inside. The filly and Luv Your Neighbor made contact, squeezing Pashmina back.

Luv Your Neighbor, ridden by Axel Concepcion, took a brief awkward step after contact with Hit Parade but stayed on resolutely, displaying remarkable athleticism to maintain balance and finish strongly for second.

Sent off as the post-time favorite, Hit Parade returned $6.60, $4.20 and $3.20.

With the victory, Hit Parade earned 10 points toward the Road to the Kentucky Oaks leaderboard. Luv Your Neighbor received five points for her runner-up finish, and Pashmina earned three points for third. Have Faith ran fourth to earn two points, and Actis finished fifth, earning one point.

Hit Parade's career record now stands at 4: 3-0-1 with $147,980 in earnings.