It Takes All Kinds: Meet the Dams of the 2023 Kentucky Oaks Contenders, Part 2

by Rachael Zilboorg

“Breed to the best and hope for the best.”

That’s the adage of the Thoroughbred breeding industry, often attributed to breeder John E. Madden (1856-1929). But the reality is, while you can stack the odds in your favor by breeding proven mares to proven stallions, Thoroughbred breeding is a game of chance. An exceptional racehorse may fail to pass on his brilliance. An exceptional race mare can fail to produce a winner… and an unraced mare can produce a champion.

For fun, and for educational purposes, we’ve done a brief sketch of the dams of each of the Kentucky Oaks (G1) contenders below. The Kentucky Oaks will be run on Friday, May 5, at Churchill Downs.

Key terms

But before we get into it, here are some helpful hints for the laypersons out there:

Post is an abbreviation for post position, which is the gate from which the filly is set to “break” (start) during the race. Post position #1 is on the inner rail to the far left, while post position #14 is closest to the outer rail to the right. Fillies will be presented in order of post below.

Record can be read as follows: Starts-Wins-Seconds-Thirds (Earnings). For example, Mimi Kakushi (below), has five starts, three wins, zero seconds, zero thirds, and earnings of $212,701; 5-3-0-0 ($212,701).

Blacktype is a kind of stakes race recognized worldwide. Almost all of the stakes you read about in national news are blacktype. Some may be graded, like the Kentucky Oaks, while others are restricted to state-breds. Blacktype gets its name from its display on Thoroughbred pedigrees; horses who are blacktype stakes winners are displayed in BOLD, while horses who have finished second or third in blacktype stakes are displayed in Bold.

S. is the abbreviation for a stakes race, in which weights (the amount of weight a horse carries between jockey, saddle, and padded weights) are uniform based on sex. Often times, fillies will be “allowed” a number of pounds when racing against males, meaning they will carry less pounds than their male counterparts.

H. is the abbreviation for a handicap stakes race, in which weights are determined based on a variety of factors, which can include current form (how well the horse has run and at what level in its recent starts), age, and sex.

G1/G2/G3 are abbreviations for Grade 1, Grade 2, and Grade 3 in North America. Grade 1 stakes are considered the highest level of competition. Grade 2 stakes are a level below that. Grade 3 stakes are the lowest level of graded stakes offered. (All graded stakes rank above other kinds of blacktype stakes like listed and restricted, designated by L and R, which we’ve not indicated below.)

Registered foals are foals of a mare which have been registered with The Jockey Club. At this time of year, a mare’s current foal and yearling offspring are often not registered, and it is possible that her two-year-old offspring is not yet registered. Also not registered are any foals a mare produced which died prior to being registered.

In addition, we will indicate the two-year-old, yearling, and 2023 foals of the mares below, but may not discuss older foals except in naming their accomplishments. It is common in the industry upon speaking of the dam of a current performer to describe their younger offspring, or her produce “in the pipe.” Produce records are up to date as April 30, 2023. 

Today, we'll review the dams of the remaining seven starters, plus the three also eligible entries. (If you missed it, check out Part 1 here.)

Be sure to read all the way to the end for some fun facts about the dams of the Kentucky Oaks contenders as a group!

Promiseher America - Post 8
by American Pharoah out of Promisedyouheaven (by Unbridled's Song)
Record: 4-2-1-0 ($198,138)
Blacktype: 1st Gazelle S. (G3)

Dam: Promisedyouheaven (2013)

Promisedyouheaven raced five times at 3 and 4, with a win in a maiden special weight at 3. She earned $43,607.

Promisedyouheaven has produced four registered foals to date, of which Promiseher America is her only starter and winner so far. She is the dam of a two-year-old colt by Medaglia d’Oro, a yearling filly by Curlin, and is due to Constitution this year. To date, Promisedyouheaven’s foals have earned $198,138 on the track.

Promisedyouheaven was last sold for $370,000 in 2019, in foal to American Pharoah and thus carrying Promiseher America “in utero.” It was her highest price in three times through the sales ring.

---

And Tell Me Nolies - Post 9
by Arrogate out of Be Fair (by Exchange Rate)
Record: 7-3-2-0 ($472,800)
Blacktype: 1st Del Mar Debutante S. (G1), 1st Chandelier S. (G2), 2nd Santa Anita Oaks (G2), 2nd Santa Ysabel S. (G3)

Dam: Be Fair (2006)

Be Fair won 4 times in 21 career starts and earned $313,517. Her biggest score came in the Lake George S. (G3) at 3. She was third in three other stakes, including the Apple Blossom Invitational S. (G1). Notably, she finished fourth in her generation’s edition of the Kentucky Oaks (G1).

Be Fair has produced nine registered foals to date, of which all seven starters are winners. And Tell Me Nolies is her most accomplished offspring so far. Be Fair has an unraced two-year-old by Gun Runner and is bred to Mo Town for 2023. To date, Be Fair’s offspring have earned $768,381 on the track.

Be Fair was was last offered at public auction in 2021 for $35,000. In five times through the auction ring, her highest price came in 2011, when she sold for $300,000 carrying her first foal, by Indian Charlie.

---

Flying Connection - Posts 10
by Nyquist out of Free Flying Soul (by Quiet American)
Record: 7-4-0-1 ($294,700)
Blacktype: 1st Zia Park Princess S., 1st Island Fashion S., 1st Sunland Park Oaks, 3rd Borderplex S.

Dam: Free Flying Soul (2005)

Free Flying Soul was a multiple stakes winner during her career. She won six of 16 starts, including the Kalookan Queen H., Desert Stormer H., Louis R. Rowan S., and Winter S. She also placed in four graded stakes, including second in the A Gleam H. (G2) and Las Flores H. (G3) and third in the Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Sprint (G1) and Santa Monica H. (G1). She earned $423,177.

To date, Free Flying Soul has produced 11 registered foals. Eight of her foals have started, with seven winners. Flying Connection is her most accomplished runner to date. Free Flying Soul has an unstarted two-year-old colt by Practical Joke, a yearling colt by McKinzie, and is bred to Constitution for 2023. To date, Free Flying Soul’s offspring have earned $922,568 on the track.

Free Flying Soul was last offered as public auction as a two-year-old, where she sold for $125,000. It was her highest price in two times through the ring.

---

Defining Purpose - Post 11
by Cross Traffic out of Defining Hope (by Strong Hope)
Record: 7-3-0-1 ($543,688)
Blacktype: 1st Ashland S. (G1), 1st Year’s End S., 3rd Martha Washington S.

Dam: Defining Hope (2014)

Defining Hope raced 12 times at ages 2 and 3, retiring with 5 wins, including a trio of restricted stakes: Miss Indiana S., Swifty Sired Fillies S., and City of Anderson S. She placed in three other restricted stakes and earned $306,238 during her career.

Definite Hope has produced three registered foals to date. Defining Purpose (above) is her second foal and her only starter so far. She has a two-year-old filly by Runhappy and produced a filly by Csaba this year. To date, Defining Hope’s offspring have earned $543,688 on the track.

Defining Hope has never been offered at public auction.

---

Dorth Vader - Post 12
by Girvin out of Hardcore Candy (by Yonaguska)
Record: 8-4-0-1 ($339,533)
Blacktype: 1st Davona Dale S. (G2), 1st Sandpiper S., 1st Juvenile Fillies Sprint S., 3rd FTBOA Florida Sire My Dear Girl S.

Dam: Hardcore Candy (2006)

Harcore Candy started 40 times in her career, winning at ages 2, 3, 5, and 6. She earned $101,308 in her career. She was second in the Freedom of the City S. at 2.

Harcore Candy produced eight registered foals, of which six have started and five are winners. Dorth Vader is her most accomplished offspring. She has an unstarted two-year-old filly by Air Force Blue and a yearling filly by Adios Charlie. To date, Hardcore Candy’s offspring have earned $509,649.

Harcore Candy was last offered at public auction - with Dorth Vader in utero - in 2020, where she failed to meet her reserve on a bid of $5,500. She last sold in 2014 in foal to Wildcat Heir for $23,000, her highest price in four times through the sales ring.

---

Affirmative Lady - Post 13
by Arrogate out of Stiffed (by Stephen Got Even)
Record: 6-2-1-2 ($270,568)
Blacktype: 1st Gulfstream Park Oaks (G2), 2nd Demoiselle S. (G2), 3rd Busanda S.

Dam: Stiffed (2011)

Stiffed raced 19 times from ages 3 to 5, with 5 wins, including the Monmouth Beach S. and Jersey Girl H. She was also multiple graded stakes placed during her 4-year-old season, finishing second in the Molly Pitcher S. (G3) and third in the Rampart S. (G3). She earned $256,559 on the track.

Stiffed has produced three registered foals to date. With two starters from two foals of racing age, Affirmative Lady is her second foal and sole winner so far. Stiffed has a yearling filly by Nyquist and produced a filly by Connect this year. Stiffed foals have earned $285,936 to date.

Stiffed was last offered at public auction in 2018, where she brought $320,000 when offered in foal to Pioneerof the Nile. The price was the highest of her three appearances in the sales ring.

---

Pretty Mischievous - Post 14
by Into Mischief out of Pretty City Dancer (by Tapit)
Record: 6-4-1-1 ($501,310)
Blacktype: 1st Rachel Alexandra S. (G2), 1st Untapable S., 2nd Fair Grounds Oaks (G2), 3rd Golden Rod S. (G2)

Dam: Pretty City Dancer (2014)

Pretty City Dancer started 11 times at ages 2 and 3, doing her best work during her debut season. A winner in her second start, Pretty City Dancer captured the Debutante S. by 3 ¼ lengths drawing away at Churchill Downs in her third start. In her fourth start, Pretty City Dancer was involved in a historic photo finish in Saratoga’s prestigious Spinaway S. (G1). In that race Pretty City Dancer and Sweet Loretta - both by three-time leading sire Tapit - finished in a dead heat, equal first 5 ¾ lengths ahead of the third-place finisher. Pretty City Dancer earned $286,344 in her career.

Pretty City Dancer has produced three registered foals to date, with two winners from two offspring of racing age. Pretty Mischievous, is her second foal. She has a yearling filly by Medaglia d’Oro and produced a filly by Street Sense this year. To date, Pretty City Dancer’s offspring have earned $535,210.

Pretty City Dancer was last offered at public auction in 2018, where she sold for $3,500,000. It was the highest price of her two appearances in the sales ring.

---

Also Eligibles

Entries that are “also eligible,” designated as AE in the entries and racing program, are officially entered for the race but are not among the 14 guaranteed starters in the Oaks. If a guaranteed starter scratches prior to an established deadline, an also eligible entry will “draw in” to the field in order of eligibility. If drawn in, also eligibles start according to their assigned post, generally to the outside (grandstand side) of the guaranteed starters.

Taxed - Post 15 AE
by Collected out of Yankee Union (by Yankee Gentleman)
Record: 7-1-2-0 ($199,644)
Blacktype: 2nd Fantasy S. (G3), 2nd Martha Washington S.

Dam: Yankee Union (2009)

Yankee Union was a three-time winner at 3 and 4. She won or placed in 11 of 14 career starts and earned $164,064. She placed in three blacktype stakes, finishing second in the Holiday Cheer S. and Likely Exchange S. and third in the Remington Park Oaks.

Yankee Union has produced six registered foals to date, including four winners from four starters. Taxed is the most accomplished of her offspring so far. Yankee Union has an unstarted two-year-old colt by Preservationist, a yearling filly by American Freedom, and produced a filly by Complexity this year. To date, Yankee Union’s offspring have earned $334,484 on the track.

Yankee Union was last offered at public auction in 2015, where she sold in foal to Congrats for $75,000. The year prior, she sold for $90,000 in foal to Violence, the highest of her two appearances in the sales ring.

---

Julia Shining - Post 16 AE
by Curlin out of Dreaming of Julia (by A.P. Indy)
Record: 4-1-0-2 ($262,575)
Blacktype: 1st Demoiselle S. (G2), 3rd Ashland S. (G1), 3rd Suncoast S.

Dam: Dreaming of Julia (2010)

One of the most accomplished mares on the racetrack on this list, Dreaming of Julia won the Frizette S. (G1) and Meadow Star S. at 2 and the Gulfstream Park Oaks (G2) at 3. She was second in the Mother Goose S. (G1) and Davona Dale S. (G2) at 3, and third in her generation’s edition of the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies (G1). Notably, Dreaming of Julia finished fourth as the favorite in the 2013 Kentucky Oaks (G1). In total, she won four of eight career starts, with two seconds and a third, and earned $874,500.

Dreaming of Julia has produced seven registered foals so far, of which two are winners from two starters. Unlike the other mares on this list, her most accomplished offspring is not her current Oaks contender, who is her fifth foal. That distinction goes to Julia Shining’s full sister Malathaat! Malathaat was an Eclipse Champion at 3 and 4, and won six Grade 1 stakes in her career, including the Kentucky Oaks (G1) and the Breeders’ Cup Distaff (G1). She also won or placed in seven other stakes, including victories in the Demoiselle S. (G2) and Tempted S. at 2 and the Doubledogdare S. (G3) at 4. Dreaming of Julia also has an unstarted two-year-old filly by Medaglia d’Oro, a yearling filly by Curlin - a full sister to both Julia Shining and Malathaat - and is due to Into Mischief this year. To date, Dreaming of Julia’s offspring have earned $4,053,400 on the track.

Dreaming of Julia has never been offered at public auction.

---

Hoosier Philly - Post 17 AE
by Into Mischief out of Tapella (by Tapit)
Record: 5-3-0-1 ($478,610)
Blacktype: 1st Golden Rod S. (G2), 1st Rags to Riches S., 3rd Rachel Alexandra S. (G2)

Dam: Tapella (2014)

Tapella won twice as a 3-year-old. She started eight times at 3 and 4, with two wins, two seconds, and a third, and earnings of $149,150.

Tapella has produced three registered foals to date, of which Hoosier Philly is her first and her only starter and winner so far. She also has an unstarted two-year-old filly by Mastery, a yearling colt by Justify, and is due to Munnings this year. To date, Tapella’s offspring have earned $478,610 on the track.

Tapella was last offered at public auction as yearling in 2015, where she sold for $750,000.

---

Fun Facts

Check out these fun facts about the dams of these 17 Kentucky Oaks entries as a group:

Oldest: Rite Moment (2004), dam of Mimi Kakushi
Youngest: Daisy (2015), dam of Botanical
Highest Earner: Wonder Gal ($904,800), dam of Wonder Wheel
Highest Racing Class: Pretty City Dancer (G1 Winner), dam of Pretty Mischievous & Dreaming of Julia (G1 Winner), dam of Julia Shining
Graded Stakes Winning Dams: 6 (35.3%)
Stakes Winning Dams (including graded): 11 (64.7%)
Kentucky Oaks Starters: 2 - Mo d’Amour, dam of Southlawn & Be Fair, dam of And Tell Me Nolies
Most Foals: Free Flying Soul (11), dam of Flying Connection
Most Winners: Free Flying Soul (7), dam of Flying Connection & Be Fair (7), dam of And Tell Me Nolies
Foal Order: 2nd - eight (47.1%) of the 17 entries are their dam’s second registered foal!
Lowest Foal Order: First foal - Botanical, dam of Daisy & Tapella, dam of Hoosier Philly
Highest Foal Order: 9th foal - Free Flying Soul, dam of Flying Connection & Rite Moment, dam of Mimi Kakushi
Highest Offspring Earners: Dreaming of Julia ($4,053,400), dam of Julia Shining
Highest Price at Public Auction: Pretty City Dancer ($3,500,000), dam of Pretty Mischevious

If you missed it, check out Part 1 here.