July 17 - Fillies Payton d'Oro and Bon Jovi Girl first raced each other in May's Black-Eyed Susan Stakes (Gr 2) at Pimlico, which Payton d'Oro won. Bon Jovi Girl got her revenge in June's Susan's Girl Stakes at Delaware Park. Tomorrow they'll face off again in the $250,000 Delaware Oaks (Gr 2).

Horseracing fans who have been following the progress of these intrepid three-years-olds will no doubt be looking forward to Saturday's 1 1/16 mile Delaware Oaks at Delaware Park, in what should be the ultimate showdown. Particularly confident in the chances of Payton d'Oro is her trainer Larry Jones.

'She deserved to win the Black-Eyed Susan Stakes, but I don't think she really cared for the slop the last time out,' said Jones referring to the rain-logged track over which this year's Susan's Girl Stakes was contested. 'So we are hoping that getting back on the fast track will be what we need to make our race.'

Jones is no stranger to the Delaware Oaks after winning this prestigious Delaware race last year with the talented Proud Spell. As such he would clearly love to make it two in a row and, judging by his comments, he feels Payton d'Oro is the right filly for the job. But first she'll have to overcome Bon Jovi Girl.

Trained and co-owned by Tim Ritchey, Bon Jovi Girl is no slouch and has more than proved herself at Delaware Park, in wet and dry conditions. At this track she has won 4 out of 6 starts, including two victories over a wet track and one win over a fast, dry track. As such, the trainer is confident about tomorrow.

Going into the Delaware Oaks, Livin Lovin - trained by Steve Klesaris - is the 2-1 favorite, while Bon Jovi Girl is the second favorite at 3-1, and Payton d'Oro is sitting at 6-1. The reason Bon Jovi Girl has been given the edge over her biggest rival is because she won the Susan's Girl Stakes by a massive 8 lengths.

The complete 7-horse field for the 2009 Delaware Oaks with odds courtesy of Bodog's Racebook comprises Livin Lovin (KY) 2-1, Bon Jovi Girl (KY) 3-1, Malibu Prayer (VA) 4-1, Payton d'Oro (KY) 6-1, Sweet Golden Carol (KY) 8-1, Careless Jewel (KY) 8-1 and Missunitednations (FL) 10-1. For our money, Payton d'Oro will be the filly to beat.

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2012/04/02 06:44:10 AM