Gomez will ride Stardom Bound in Oaks
According to the Courier-Journal, Garrett Gomez will replace Mike Smith aboard 2008 champion filly Stardom Bound in the Kentucky Oaks on May 1. Smith rode Stardom Bound, a daughter of Tapit, to five consecutive Grade I victories before a third-place finish in the Ashland Stakes at Keeneland on April 4.
Of course, the way Rachel Alexandra has been destroying her opposition, it might not matter who rides Stardom Bound. Rachel Alexandra, a Medaglia d'Oro filly who's won four consecutive stakes and is unbeaten in three 2009 starts, will go into the Oaks off a scintillating 8 3/4-length victory in the Fantasy Stakes at Oaklawn Park on April 5. Calvin Borel was aboard.
Rachel Alexandra, in addition to perhaps being in better form than Stardom Bound, also has the advantage of already having proved she can run on dirt. Stardom Bound's eight career starts have all come over synthetics. Rachel Alexandra also has won twice at Churchill Downs. She's won 6 of 9 lifetime, and Stardom Bound has won 5 of 8 starts.
Take a look at these final two prep races and tell us who you like in the Kentucky Oaks:
Art,
You took the words out of my mouth - it wouldn't matter who rides Stardom Bound - she'll see the hind end of Rachel Alexandra throughout the Oaks.
Been saying all winter/spring that Rachel is a much better filly than SB. I honestly think that SB has regressed noticeably in 2009 and wouldn't even look at her to complete the exacta on May 1st.