Secret Oath and the Coach in the Kentucky Oaks

Briland Farm’s homebred SECRET OATH (Arrogate – Absinthe Minded by Quiet American) made a five-wide sweeping move on the far turn and then collared Echo Zulu at the three-sixteenths pole en route to a 2-length victory over favoured Nest in the 148th running of the $1,250,000 Longines Kentucky Oaks (GI) for 3-year-old fillies Friday afternoon at Churchill Downs before a crowd of 100,188.

Trained by D. Wayne Lukas and ridden by Luis Saez, Secret Oath completed the mile and an eighth on a track listed as good in 1:49.44.

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She earned a 94 Beyer Speed Figure.

The victory is the fifth in the race for Lukas and ties him with Woody Stephens for the most Oaks triumphs. Lukas’ other winners were Blush With Pride (1982), Lucky Lucky Lucky (1984), Open Mind (1989) and Seaside Attraction (1990).

It is the first Oaks victory for Saez.

Longshot Yuugiri and the undefeated Echo Zulu rocketed to the front from the gate and led the field of 14 through early fractions of :22.45 and :46.51.

In the run down the backstretch, Saez has Secret Oath outside of horses and in eighth. Approaching the far turn, Secret Oath began to pick off horses and by the time the field reached the top of the stretch, Secret Oath had moved to the outside of Echo Zulu and reached even terms.

Secret Oath assumed command at the three-sixteenths pole and opened a clear advantage that was more than enough to hold off Nest who rallied for second over Desert Dawn.

The ‘Coach’, Lukas, said, “I thought the race unfolded like we expected. Being in the one hole we didn’t have much choice on what to do. I told Luis (Saez) that down the backside to get into position. When I saw him moving around the turn and I turned and hugged my wife and said ‘here we go.’ It feels great. I’ve said all week, as trainers we think it’s us. After you win one, the real satisfaction is for the (owners) who raised her and let them have the opportunity to enjoy this and get the thrill.”

The ‘Coach’, 86-year-old D. Wayne Lukas, and his fifth Kentucky Oaks trophy – Coady Photography

Jockey Saez was bubbling over after the race, “A few weeks ago my agent (Kiaran McLaughlin) told me we were likely going to ride Secret Oath. Then, when he told me one day that I need to work her, I drove here from Keeneland and she blew my mind. I’ve ridden a lot of good fillies but none in my life like this one. I’m so glad to be here and blessed to win my first Kentucky Oaks.”

Secret Oath, bred in Kentucky by Stacy and Rob Mitchel of Briland Farm collected $705,250 and boosted Secret Oath’s bankroll to $1,288,417 with a record of 8-5-0-2.

Secret Oath returned $10.80, $5.60 and $4.60. Nest, ridden by Irad Ortiz Jr., returned $4.20 and $3.20 and finished a half-length in front of Desert Dawn who paid $15.40 to show under Umberto Rispoli.

It was another half-length back to Echo Zulu who was followed in order by Kathleen O., Shahama, Turnerloose, Cocktail Moments, Candy Raid, Nostalgic, Goddess of Fire, Hidden Connection, Yuugiri and Venti Valentine.