Summerly Takes Oaks Prize

Summerly made up for a disappointing effort last time with a all-the-way success in the Grade One Kentucky Oaks at Churchill Downs.

The Steve Asmussen-trained filly put her fourth place in the Ashland Stakes well behind her as she held the fast-finishing In The Gold by two lengths.

Jockey Jerry Bailey had Summerly smartly away and she got to the front ahead of favourite Sis City, who had beat her in the Ashland.

Sis City settled in second before laying down her challenge turning for home but Summerly always had more left in the tank and she stormed clear.

In the Gold came with a late flourish to claim the runner-up spot by one and three-quarter lengths while Gallant Secret also produced a finishing kick to take third from Sis City.

'This is the filly we have run all season long,' Asmussen told

www.bloodhorse.com.

'She was away from the gate cleanly; at Keeneland (in the Ashland), the second jump, I knew we were in trouble because she wasn´t handling the track.'

Bailey, registering his third Oaks win, added: 'It was unexpected to be on the lead. Sis City had a post inside us and more speed. I planned to lay second.

'The way the break was, Summerly broke really well, and I made the determination I was going to go ahead and take the lead and see what Sis City was made of.

'Edgar (Prado) eased back and took outside and I tried to slow it down as best I could.'

The field for the nine-furlong race was reduced from nine to seven as both Dance Away Capote and Aspen Tree were non-runners.

? PA Sport