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Ashado wins Kentucky Oaks

LOUISVILLE, Ky., April 30 (UPI) -- Ashado caught undefeated pace-setter Madcap Escapade with a furlong to go Friday to win the Kentucky Oaks by a length.

Island Sand also passed a tiring Madcap Escapade to take second in the 3-year-old filly counterpart to Saturday's Kentucky Derby.

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Madcap Escapade was unbeaten in four previous starts, including a half length victory over Ashado in their last race, the Ashland at Keeneland.

Madcap Escapade opened a 5-length lead on the backstretch in the 1 1/8-mile Oaks, run on a muddy Churchill Downs track. But jockey Jerry Bailey was unable to ration the filly's speed as she ran the first half-mile in an Oaks-record time of 46 seconds.

As a result, when jockey John Velazquez put Ashado to the drive at the top of the stretch, Madcap Escapade could not put up enough of a fight. Ashado finished in 1:50 4/5.

Ashado paid $6.60, $4.20 and $3; Island Sand $12 and $5.80; Madcap Escapade $3.60. The $2 exacta paid $126.60.

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