Lovely Maria Back in Action in $200,000 Delaware Oaks

Lovely Maria, the winner of the Kentucky Oaks (G1), has been tabbed as the even-money favorite for trainer Larry Jones. A bay daughter of Majesticperfection, she has been first or second in seven of her eight starts and is a four-time winner. She comes into this race off of back to back Grade 1 victories and has had a recent bullet workout at Delaware Park. Regular rider Kerwin Clark will be in the in the irons and they will break from post position five.

White Clover part of a loaded pair for Larry Jones

Larry Jones will also saddle the second choice in the field, White Clover, at odds of 5-1 on the morning line. A gray daughter of Exchange Rate, she has won three of her eight starts and will be trying to earn the first graded stakes victory of her career. Last time out, she earned her second straight win in the Our Mims Stakes and will have Michael Ritvo aboard from post position six.

Peace and War trying to return to form

Also in the field at morning line odds of 6-1 is Peace and War for trainer Graham Motion. A bay daughter of War Front, she has won two of her seven starts and was a graded stakes winner as a juvenile. She showed improved after finishing off the board in her first two starts of the year and was second behind White Clover last time out. John Velazquez will be aboard from the outside post.