Taraz set to make two-turn debut in Oaklawn's Martha Washington

Taraz completed major preparations for Oaklawn Park's $150,000 Martha Washington Stakes for 3-year-old fillies Feb. 1 by breezing 5 furlongs in 1:01.20 Sunday morning at Fair Grounds for trainer Brad Cox and owner Juddmonte Farms Inc., which also bred the massive daughter of Into Mischief.

Taraz, who is unbeaten in two career starts, is scheduled to make her two-turn debut in the Martha Washington, a 1-mile race that is Oaklawn’s first of three Kentucky Oaks points races. Taraz won her career debut by 7 ½ lengths Nov. 14 at Churchill Downs and the $75,000 Letellier Memorial Stakes Dec. 21 at Fair Grounds by 11 ¼ lengths.

Other early probables, according to the Oaklawn racing department, are O Seraphina for trainer Joe Sharp and Seahawk Lisa for Hall of Fame trainer Jerry Hollendorfer. A handful of other horses remained under consideration for the race late Sunday morning.

Oaklawn’s Kentucky Oaks points series continues with the $300,000 Honeybee Stakes (G3) March 7 and the $600,000 Fantasy Stakes (G3) April 10. Both races are 1 1/16 miles.

The Martha Washington will share the Feb. 1 spotlight with the $125,000 American Beauty Stakes for older female sprinters.

Early probables for the 6-furlong American Beauty, according to the Oaklawn department, are Amy’s Challenge for trainer Mac Robertson, Ascot Day and Talbeya (Dan Peitz), Pretty Greeley (John Ortiz), Raintree Starlet (Brian Williamson) and Three Chords (Kenny Smith).

Amy’s Challenge was a front-running 5 ¾-length winner of last year’s American Beauty. Raintree Starlet won the $100,000 Dixie Belle Stakes for 3-year-old filly sprinters last year at Oaklawn. Pretty Greeley worked 5 furlongs in 1:03.20 Sunday morning.

Post positions for the Martha Washington and American Beauty will be drawn Wednesday.