The Grade I Apple Blossom Handicap at Oaklawn Park is one of the premier races for older fillies and mares, offering a $1.25 million purse and attracting some of the best talent in the division. This year’s edition promises to be a thrilling contest with a competitive field of seven.
Race Details
- Date: Saturday, April 12, 2025
- Distance: 1 1/16 miles on dirt
- Purse: $1,250,000
- Eligibility: Four-year-olds and upward, fillies and mares
The Contenders
- Sweet Alyssa
- Trainer: Chasey Deville Pomier
- Jockey: Ricardo Santana, Jr.
- Pedigree: Sired by Union Rags out of Scatter Gun
- Overview: A five-year-old mare with stakes experience, Sweet Alyssa has struggled in her recent starts, finishing ninth and fourth. Trainer Chasey Deville Pomier will aim to bring her back to form in this high-stakes race.
- Neom Beach
- Trainer: Steven M. Asmussen
- Jockey: Erik Asmussen
- Pedigree: Sired by Omaha Beach out of Giant’s Causey
- Overview: A four-year-old filly with potential, Neom Beach has yet to find her stride in graded stakes company. Trainer Steven M. Asmussen will look to unlock her potential in this competitive field.
- Free Like a Girl
- Trainer: Chasey Deville Pomier
- Jockey: Julien R. Leparoux
- Pedigree: Sired by El Deal out of Flashy Prize
- Overview: A six-year-old mare with an impressive record, Free Like a Girl has earned over $2.2 million in her career. She finished second to Thorpedo Anna in the Azeri Stakes (G2) last month and will look to turn the tables here.
- Noble Miss
- Trainer: Danny Hernandez
- Jockey: Isaac Castillo
- Pedigree: Sired by Noble Mission (GB) out of She’s a Beauty
- Overview: A seven-year-old mare returning from a year-long layoff, Noble Miss faces a tough challenge in her first stakes race. Trainer Danny Hernandez will hope her experience can make up for the time away.
- Where’s My Ring
- Trainer: Val Brinkerhoff
- Jockey: Francisco Arrieta
- Pedigree: Sired by Twirling Candy out of Mapit
- Overview: A four-year-old filly with a strong recent performance, Where’s My Ring won an allowance race at Oaklawn by over 12 lengths. She has the speed to challenge the favorite and could be a serious contender.
- Thorpedo Anna
- Trainer: Kenneth G. McPeek
- Jockey: Brian Joseph Hernandez, Jr.
- Pedigree: Sired by Fast Anna out of Sataves
- Overview: The reigning Horse of the Year, Thorpedo Anna is the heavy favorite in this race. She has won nine of her 11 career starts, including five Grade I races. Her recent victory in the Azeri Stakes (G2) showcased her dominance, and she will carry the top weight of 124 pounds.
- Wild Bout Hilary
- Trainer: Tanner Tracy
- Jockey: Ramon A. Vazquez
- Pedigree: Sired by Midnight Lute out of Wild Bout Tiffany
- Overview: A four-year-old filly with stakes success, Wild Bout Hilary won the Bayakoa Stakes (G3) earlier this year. She will need to step up her game to compete with the likes of Thorpedo Anna.
