Untapable A Freak Amongst Ladies

In the mornings she glides around the race track with the gentleness of a lady, but in the afternoon she demolishes everyone like a freak. Untapable the three year old filly trained by Steve Asmussen will be the favorite in this year's running of the Kentucky Oaks. The Oaks is the female version of the Kentucky Derby and is usually run a day before the boys take their running to the track. After this weekend is over, everyone may only be talking about the filly that sent shock waves through Kentucky. Rachel Alexandra did that in 2009 when she took jockey Calvin Borel on a joy ride in the Oaks. Her win opened pocket books and wallets. She was sold to Stonestreet Stables who quickly moved the horse to trainer Steve Asmussen. The Rachel saga grew as she took on and beat the boys in the second leg of the triple crown, the Preakness Stakes. Untapable has a lot more to do before she can be compared to Rachel Alexandra, but she is well on her way.

Untapable broke her maiden in a five and half furlong race at Churchill Downs. She came back in the Pocahantas and while racing a little green surged at the wire to win by a head.  That win propelled her into an early betting choice for the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies. The young star disappointed that day. She finished up the track a disappointing eighth. She would then be wheeled around a month later at Hollywood Park for the Grade One Starlet, where she would finish third.  Horse racing is all about what have you done for me lately, and after that showing on Breeders' Cup day, and at Hollywood Park, people started to sway in other directions. Her trainer, Steve Asmussen  gave her some time off and sent her down to the Fairgrounds in New Orleans where he does most of his business for the winter.

The Fairgrounds woke up the freak in this talented young lady and she began her three year old journey with a resounding win in the Rachel Alexandra. She reunited with Rosie Napravnik who was her pilot for her first two wins. The two made little work of their competitors, and the swaying tongues that had began to look elsewhere for their next delight started to sing her praises once more. While Untapable was bringing back her lovers to her, another three year old filly was starting to write her own history. Unbridled Forever,  introduced herself to the world when she won in her first start at Churchill Downs. Her win had those fickle lovers jumping on her bandwagon. They have found another one to fall in love with. She also went down to the Fairgrounds with her trainer Dallas Stewart and began a love affair with the sweet melody of Louisiana. Unbridled Forever made her three year old debut in the Silverbulletday and sent her rivals back to their stalls with their heads hung. She wanted everyone to know that Untpable wasn't the only female in town trying to secure princess status. The buildup began. Who would win in a matchup between Untapable and Unbridled Forever? The lovers took sides and the money showed they favored Untapable a little more when they both met in the Fairground Oaks. The race wasn't much of a race by the time the females turned for home. Untapable with Rosie using her strong hand urging and whip, left Unbridled Forever and the other wannabe princesses in the midst of her freakiness. She crossed the wire and Unbridled Forever gasped home in third. Her time for the running of the Fairgrounds Oaks was better than the Louisana Derby winner and the older horses that day. How would she fair in the Kentucky Derby? Sadly we won't know because the derby and its point system doesn't include the filly races. That is a case to be tackled for next season, but this season she will compete against the girls on the first Friday in May.

Who can dethrone this filly whose muscles are breaking through her flesh. Who will be able to break her will if she is a hundred percent? A close look at the field and one would see horses that she already defeated with ease. Ria Antonia with Mike Smith in the saddle comes to town after being shipped to Bob Baffert's barn where she displayed a nice run in the Santa Anita Oaks. She galloped home second behind a young lady who is developing a lovely style of her own. Fashion Plate will bring her high cat walk fashion to town after winning the Santa Anita Oaks. She has won three in a row and will be ridden by Hall Of Fame jockey Gary Stevens. She will be the second choice behind Untapable and some believe her to be very dangerous in the Oaks. Unbridled Forever comes back for more and this time hopes to give Untapable some of her own medicine. The rest of the field is comprised of lovely young ladies who will be heard from down the road. Their story lines will be written throughout the summer.

This Friday, it is hard for me to see Untapable getting beat when the starter lets them go. If she breaks well and settle in her normal spot, a few lengths off the leader, then turning for home she will take them apart and break their wills. Will we see a Rachel Alexandra's type of performance? We all don't know. This field has some nice young ladies who can run, but if she was to display that same type of freakish behavior like Rachel, then in two weeks she may just show the boys how its done in the Preakness. One race at a time and that first race is Friday. I am looking forward to seeing this princess strut her style over the Churchill surface leaving a memorable performance  with lovers wanting and begging for more.