Prom Queen Eyes Class Relief in Indiana Oaks

Delta Squad Racing's graded stakes winner Prom Queen will look to get back on track July 11 in the $200,000 Indiana Oaks (G3) at Horseshoe Indianapolis. The 3-year-old daughter of Quality Road won the Gulfstream Park Oaks (G2) in March, but failed to finish in the money in her last two attempts in the highly competitive Kentucky Oaks (G1) and Acorn Stakes (G1). The Brad Cox trainee should appreciate the class relief in Saturday's 1 1/16-mile race. Looking to prove herself and knock Prom Queen off her game is the Bill Mott-trained Star Actress. The grade 1-placed daughter of Justify finished third in the Ashland Stakes (G1) at Keeneland behind Percy's Bar and Zany. After a flat fifth-place finish in an allowance optional claiming race on Kentucky Oaks (G1) day—where she was beaten by Maximum Offer and Betty's Pearl, both entered in the Indiana Oaks—and a second-place finish on the turf, her team hopes the filly is ready to showcase the talent it believes she has. Junior Alvarado will be aboard Prom Queen. Stonestreet Thoroughbred Holdings-bred Betty's Pearl enters the race off a six-week freshening, following her impressive 6 1/4-length win in an allowance optional claiming race May 30 at Churchill Downs. The Bob Baffert-trained Mizumi, who won the Summertime Oaks (G3) June 13 at Santa Anita Park is cross-entered in the Iowa Oaks June 10, and Baffert has indicated the horse will race at Prairie Meadows instead. Shadwell Stable's recent maiden winner Nahla, trained by Brad Cox, rounds out the field.