Libby’s Tail faces four in Busanda

Jan 13, 2017 Jennifer Caldwell/Brisnet.com

Libby’s Tail currently ranks 14th on the Kentucky Oaks Leaderboard with five points and will seek to move up the list on Sunday as part of a five-horse field entered in the Busanda Stakes.

The mile-and-70-yard contest is part of the Road to the Kentucky Oaks series of points races and offers up 10-4-2-1 points to the top four finishers toward a starting berth in the May 5 Kentucky Oaks (G1).

Libby’s Tail is no stranger to facing stakes rivals but her four opponents in the Busanda are all exiting maiden wins. The Tiz Wonderful filly followed up her debut maiden win last July with a fourth-place effort in the Adirondack Stakes (G2), a head second in the Frizette Stakes (G1) and another fourth, this time in the Demoiselle Stakes (G2).

Libby’s Tail has been installed as the 6-5 morning-line favorite for the Busanda and gets jockey Irad Ortiz Jr. in the irons for trainer Rudy Rodriguez.

Lockdown is listed as the 3-1 third choice in the Busanda and gets first-time Lasix as she makes her third career start in this spot. The Bill Mott-trained daughter of First Defence broke her maiden on December 17 by 3 1/2 lengths and teams up with Kendrick Carmouche for this one.

Sand Shark is the 5-2 second favorite in the race off a one-length victory at Gulfstream Park on December 4. Rounding out the field are No Sweat and Frank’s Folly.