Lorelei Lee lures Kentucky Oaks bid with Bourbonette romp

Lorelei Lee appears headed to the Kentucky Oaks (G1) after a gate-to-wire victory in Saturday's $300,000 Bourbonette Oaks at Turfway Park.

"Ownership has already made a management decision, she'll be nominated to the Kentucky Oaks," trainer Mike Maker said.

Ridden by Fernando De La Cruz, Lorelei Lee completed 1 1/16 miles in 1:44.81 in her first start around two turns. She broke sharply and outdueled Resplendence into the first turn through an opening quarter-mile in 24.07 seconds. She maintained her advantage through a half-mile in 49.77 and three-quarters of a mile in 1:13.89 as the field began to tighten approaching the far turn.

Resist ranged up to challenge around the turn, and Lovely Grey launched a wide rally from the outside. In the stretch, Lorelei Lee dug in and held firm, drawing clear late to win by 1 3/4 lengths.

"I thought stretching out she'd show some natural speed," Maker said. "We lost some training this winter because of the weather. We ran her short and she was able to handle that and win. We knew she'd get better going long."

Lovely Grey finished second with Resist in third. The leading trio was followed in order by La Ville Lumiere, Bless Her, Resplendence, Scratch It, Beara Peninsula and Wonzee Weather.

Owned by Skychai Racing, Lorelei Lee is a bay filly by Nyquist out of the Tapit mare Marilyn Monroan. She was bred in Kentucky by Cathy Shircliff's Hot Pink Stables.

Lorelei Lee returned $23.98.

The Bourbonette Oaks awards the top five finishers qualifying points on a 50-25-15-10-5 scale toward a spot in the starting gate in the $1.5 million Kentucky Oaks on Friday, May 1, at Churchill Downs.