Paradise Woods is the filly to beat

LOUISVILLE, KY. >> Bob Baffert knows a good horse when he sees one.

And the Hall of Fame trainer likes what he sees in Paradise Woods. All he had to do was watch her run away from his Abel Tasman in the Santa Anita Oaks.

“Paradise Woods is an extremely talented filly,” said Baffert, who trained 2015 Triple Crown win- ner of American Pharaoh. “I watched her school the other day at Santa Anita and, wow, she’s imposing. She’s really, really special.”

She is the 5-2 favorite for Friday’s $1 million race for 3-year- old fillies at Churchill Downs on the day before the Kentucky Derby.

She has had back- toback runaway victories, including an 11- length romp in the Santa Anita Oaks. The daughter of Union Rags was also sec- ond in her debut at the California track. Paradise Woods will start from the No. 4 post position in the 14-horse field.

Trainer Richard Mandella thinks that’s a great spot for the horse as he goes for his first Oaks win in four tries.

“We’re here to do the best we can,” he said. “I’ve been here and know the obstacles involved with a race like this. The crowd, the competition. And I haven’t had a lot of luck at Churchill.”

Paradise Woods faces a strong field in the 1 1/8mile race.

The second choice is Miss Sky Warrior, who is listed at 9-2 and has won five of six starts, with four straight graded stakes triumphs.

There was no catching her in last month’s Grade 2 Gazelle at Aqueduct, where she won by 13 lengths.

She drew the No. 10 post.