Special Invitation for Asahi Rising

Asahi Rising, who finished third in the Japanese Oaks earlier this year, is one of 14 3-year-old fillies extended invitations to the $750,000 American Oaks, which will be run for the fifth time on July 2.

A daughter of Royal Touch, Asahi Rising will be trying to become the second Japanese-bred in a row to win the Grade I stakes race. Cesario was an easy winner in 2005.

The locals who were invited include Honeymoon Breeders’ Cup winner Attima, Foxysox, Proxenia, Galileo’s Star and Sol Mi Fa.

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Der Ali, who had lost 22 of 24, was up to beat 4-5 favorite Cut Trail by half a length to win the $66,500 Quicken Tree Stakes on Sunday at Hollywood Park.

Apprentice Juan Ochoa rode the 5-year-old Wheatly Hall gelding for Ar Bet Cin Stables and trainer Jack Van Berg.

In winning for the second time in 16 starts on grass, Der Ali ran the 1 1/2 miles in 2:30.05, nearly seven seconds off the course record set by Talloires on July 21, 1996.

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E Z Warrior, a 2-year-old son of Exploit, broke his maiden impressively in his debut for trainer Bob Baffert in the fourth race.

David Flores rode the 1-2 favorite, who was purchased for $1.2 million at Barretts in March, for Zayat Stables LLC.

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Jockey Corey Nakatani was off his mounts again, still sore after being involved in a spill in the Flame Thrower on Friday night.

Nakatani was thrown to the ground when his mount, Bear In The Woods, suffered a fatal leg injury in the stretch of the 5 1/2 -furlong turf race.