Sunday's G2 Premio Oaks D'Italia at San Siro in Milan has drawn a quality field of 16 fillies, and sire Saxon Warrior will have four chances to take home the top prize led by G3 Premio Regina Elena (Italian 1000 Guineas) runner-up Lizzana.
Second fiddle to Just Call Me Angel (Dark Angel) last out in that early May contest, Lizzana will look to improve on that effort yet again in this Italian Classic for trainer Marco Botti. Never out of the money, she's as consistent as they come and will bid to become the Coolmore stallion's latest group winner, though as one of four others in here looking to claim the same thing. Interestingly, all of them are trained by a member of the Botti clan.
Of the British raiders, dominating Pretty Polly victress Jennifer Jane (New Bay) re-enters the group ranks for the first time since running out the back behind Precise (Starspangledbanner) Aug. 24 in the G3 Prestige Fillies' Stakes. The latter has been nearly untouchable, especially of late, with another sensational victory June 19 in the G1 Coronation Stakes at Royal Ascot recently added to her column. There is no Precise in the Oaks D'Italia, but she will need to contend with Arkansas (Sottsass) for trainer Jerome Reynier.
The winner of the Prix Rose de Mai in France, Arkansas put in a good showing for herself June 2 in the G2 143Esimo Derby Italiano when she closed from the back of another 16-strong field to run fifth behind Venetian Prince (St Mark's Basilica). Her rating on the local markets leave Arkansas and Lizzana neck-and-neck with the other Saxon Warrior daughters Pomeranica and Kebrilla in close pursuit.
Pomeranica, one of the Italian heavy hitters, has only finished off the board once in nine races for owner/trainer Stefano Botti while Kebrilla was Group-placed as a juvenile last October behind Just Call Me Angel in the G2 Premio Dormello at San Siro. The second-named is conditioned by Endo Botti.
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