Lovely Maria Wins Kentucky Oaks

Lovely Maria charged to a 2 ¾-length victory over Shook Up to win the 141st running of the $1 million race for 3-year-old fillies on Friday.

The filly was ridden by veteran  jockey Kerwin Clark and trained by Larry Jones. She is by Majesticperfection out of Thundercup, by Thunder Gulch.

The win was a long time coming for Kerwin, who has paid his dues in the industry and finally rewarded with the ride of a lifetime: “I’ve been riding for 40 years and I won my first Grade I last month at Keeneland (in the Ashland) with this horse,” he said. “Then we won this race today. I am very blessed. Blessed to have this horse; to have Larry Jones in my life and believing in me, and to have (owner) Mr. (Brereton) Jones believe in me and stick with me.”

Shook Up took second and I’m a Chatterbox took third. Watch the replay:

Keep it locked on Horse Nation for all the latest Kentucky Derby news throughout Saturday. Go Riding!