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Kentucky Oaks Notes: Gamine Gets First Look At Churchill, Swiss Skydiver ‘Just So Hickory’

A field of nine sophomore fillies will contest Friday's 1 1/8-mile Kentucky Oaks at Churchill Downs. Eight of the fillies have now arrived at the Louisville, Ky. track, and each trained over the surface Tuesday morning.

BAYERNESS – Belladonna Racing's Indiana Oaks runner-up Bayerness returned to the track Tuesday following her half-mile move in :48.80 Sunday morning.

Rafael Bejarano has the call in the Oaks.

DONNA VELOCE – Kaleem Shah, Mrs. John Magnier, Michael Tabor and Derrick Smith's Donna Veloce had a get-acquainted jog around the main track at Churchill Downs Tuesday morning a day after arriving from her Southern California base.

John Stack was aboard the Simon Callaghan trainee who has compiled a 4-2-2-0 career mark that includes a runner-up finish in last fall's Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies (GI).

“Everything is good here,” said Callaghan's assistant Carlos Santamaria, who accompanied Donna Veloce on her morning jog on a pony. “We plan to take her to the gate and paddock Wednesday.”

Santamara said Callaghan would not be coming to Louisville for Friday's Oaks.

DREAM MARIE – Miracle's International Trading Inc.'s Dream Marie made a more settled impression Tuesday on her second morning at Churchill Downs since arriving from South Florida Sunday and galloped once around under exercise rider Ian Cravens.

“Yesterday, she had to look at the Twin Spires, today she was more relaxed,” trainer Matthew Williams said.

On Monday, the Graydar filly drew post position nine of nine.

“I love it, I'm very happy,” Williams said. “She'll be the last to load, which is one reason I love it. She had the one in the Monmouth Oaks (when fourth Aug. 1) and that hurt her chances in that race.”

GAMINE – Gamine, the even-money, morning line favorite for the Kentucky Oaks, took to the Churchill Downs track Tuesday morning for a jog alongside assistant trainer Jimmy Barnes having arrived in Louisville late Monday afternoon.

Owned by Michael Lund Petersen, Gamine has yet to be headed in of her four career starts with her only defeat coming when she was disqualified for a medication overage in winning an allowance optional claiming race at Oaklawn Park on May 2. The daughter of Into Mischief elicited a final bid of $1.8 million at the 2019 Fasig-Tipton Midlantic Two-Year-Olds Training Sale and if she were to prevail Friday, she would become the highest-priced Oaks winner sold at public auction since Rags to Riches — a $1.9 million yearling purchase — was victorious in 2007.

“The two turns that's the whole thing with her, but we know she's fast and she's done (two turns) before so it's not like it's new,” trainer Bob Baffert said of Gamine. “We're just blessed we have a filly like this. We gave a lot of money for her and it's worked out. A lot of times you do that and they don't work out. We're just enjoying her.”

HOPEFUL GROWTH – St. Elias Stable's Monmouth Oaks (GIII) winner Hopeful Growth galloped 1 5/8 miles Tuesday at her Monmouth Park base and was scheduled to leave New Jersey at 5:30 p.m. for the overnight trip to Kentucky. She is scheduled to arrive between 7 and 8 a.m. Wednesday and will be staying with trainer Dale Romans, a longtime friend of trainer Anthony Margotta who will saddle the Tapiture filly.

“She's training very well,” Margotta said via phone. “She had a nice solid gallop. Dale (Romans) is a great, great friend and I feel very comfortable with him taking care of her.”

SHEDARESTHEDEVIL – Qatar Racing, Flurry Racing Stable and Big Aut Farms' Shedaresthedevil galloped about 1 ½ miles Tuesday with Edvin Vargas up for trainer Brad Cox.

SPEECH – Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners and Madaket Stables' Speech was on the track at her usual 5:30 time Tuesday morning, galloping about a mile and half under exercise rider Osman Cedeno.

The 5-1 third choice on the morning line, Speech drew post position four for the 1 1/8-mile Oaks on Friday.

“I think the draw was good for everybody,” trainer Michael McCarthy said. “Swiss Skydiver is naturally fast so the one hole should not bother her. And Gamine (from post five), she's going to do her thing.”

Swiss Skydiver taking everything in ahead of her Tuesday morning gallop at Churchill Downs.

SWISS SKYDIVER – Trainer Kenny McPeek sent Peter J. Callahan's multiple graded stakes winner Swiss Skydiver to the track for her regular morning exercise designed to keep her happy and allow her to “just stretch her legs” ahead of Friday's race.

On Monday, the Daredevil filly drew post position one of nine and was installed as the 8-5 second choice on the morning line.

“I'll have to study the pace, but all it takes is one horse to get off a little awkward to change everything, so we'll leave that up to Tyler (Gaffalione),” McPeek said. “I have seen the other horses train and there are some that are training really well. We'll have our work cut out for us either way.

“Nine horses, it's a good number. It's tough race to win. I learned that with Take Charge Lady. She was 4-5 several years ago and she got upset by Farda Amiga, who ran the race of her life. So there are no guarantees. Our filly is doing super.”

Swiss Skydiver has won four stakes this year between 1 1/16 miles and 1 ¼ miles, while her main rival Gamine, the even-money favorite, has only raced beyond a mile once in her four-race career.

“Her form is pretty well proven, so we've done our job. I think the question mark with Gamine is that she hasn't done two turns on a regular basis. When she did, she had to fight for it. We ran on the same racetrack that weekend at Oaklawn and I don't think there's a lot separating them. It's going to be fun to watch. That's what makes me confident. (Bob Baffert's) filly is going to have to do something she hasn't experienced and it's something we've done over and over all year.”

Although she is a lightly framed filly, McPeek says Swiss Skydiver always has distinguished herself from other top fillies he has had.

“They're all different. My filly is just so hickory. All week she's done nothing but dive into the feed tub. The biggest problem we have is keeping her settled when we don't feed her right away. That's a real rarity. Most fillies aren't this sturdy. She loves what she does and eating is her number one thing to do. It makes a trainer's job really easy.”

TEMPERS RISING – Mark and Nancy Stanley's Tempers Rising galloped about 1 3/8 miles Tuesday morning for trainer Dallas Stewart.

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Derby Notes: Tiz The Law Arrives In Louisville, California Contingent Steps On Track

With the defection of Art Collector, 18 horses were entered for Saturday's Run for the Roses headlined by Sackatoga Stable's Tiz the Law.

Trained by Barclay Tagg, Tiz the Law landed in Louisville shortly after 9 o'clock Tuesday morning and arrived at Churchill Downs after training hours at 10:30.

Also arriving from New York on the same flight were John Fanelli, Cash is King and Paul Braverman's Ny Traffic and Robert LaPenta and Bortolazzo Stable's Money Moves.

ART COLLECTOR – Bruce Lunsford's homebred colt Art Collector, winner of the Blue Grass Stakes (GII) on July 11, was declared out of the 146th Kentucky Derby Tuesday morning because of a minor injury to his left front.

The son of Bernardini nicked the bulb of his left front heel with a hind hoof while galloping Monday at Churchill Downs. Because of horse racing strict medication rules, the horse could not be treated with an anti-inflammatory this close to the race.

“He grabbed himself yesterday morning training,” trainer Tommy Drury said. “It was still very sensitive this morning. When I took my thumbs to palpate the bulbs of his heels, you could still tell it was pinching him. I had to make a choice. Your horse has to always come first. To run in a race of this caliber and trying to compete against the best 3-year-olds in this country, you've got to be 110 percent.”

Art Collector was widely considered the biggest threat to Belmont (GI) and Travers Stakes (GI) winner Tiz the Law heading into Saturday's 1 ¼-miles classic, coming into the race off a 3 ¼-length victory in the Ellis Park Derby on Aug. 9.

“We didn't want to take any chances with a horse potentially this good,” Lunsford said. “The Derby means an awful lot to me so it's been kind of a tough day and night. But the horse is always the most important thing in all these things. We'll get another chance to have another day. We'll try and make it to the Preakness and maybe from there, the Breeders' Cup.”

Art Collector has been unbeaten in four starts this year since joining Drury's barn, including two victories at Churchill Downs.

ATTACHMENT RATE – Jim Bakke and Gerald Isbister's Attachment Rate continued his regular training at 9 a.m. for trainer Dale Romans. The colt drew post No. 13 in Saturday's Kentucky Derby.

“I always like to have horses on either side of us and we've got that,” Romans said. “It's always special to run in the Kentucky Derby – it's the race everyone wants to win. As John Asher always told me, 'There's a trophy with your name on it.'”

Authentic at Churchill Downs on Tuesday

AUTHENTIC – Grade 1 winner Authentic joined his Bob Baffert-trained stablemates in getting a feel for the Churchill Downs track for the first time Tuesday morning when he jogged beneath the Twin Spires during the special 7:30 a.m. training period for Oaks and Derby horses.

Authentic was on the flight that arrived to Louisville from California Monday afternoon and settled in without issue his first evening in the Bluegrass. The son of Into Mischief worked six furlongs in 1:12.40 at Del Mar on Sunday.

ENFORCEABLE – John Oxley's Enforceable may have already put in his final major breeze in advance of the Kentucky Derby this past weekend but assistant trainer David Carroll joked that the colt continues to give him a workout during their time on the track each morning.

The son of Tapit put in another strong gallop Tuesday morning, testing the strength in Carroll's arms as they headed out during the special 7:30 a.m. training period for Oaks and Derby contenders.

“It was a good workout, put it that way,” Carroll said with a laugh. “But he's doing great. He just wants to do more than what I let him do. Hopefully he saves that energy for Saturday.”

FINNICK THE FIERCE – With trainer and co-owner Rey Hernandez in the irons himself, Finnick the Fierce put in a spirited gallop in his first morning at Churchill Downs after vanning over from The Thoroughbred Center in Lexington.

“He went good, I was happy with his gallop,” Hernandez said. “He's had two really good races at this track and I think one of his best races was here when he ran second in the (Kentucky) Jockey Club Stakes. So I think he likes this track and the distance should be in our favor.”

Honor A. P. gallops at Churchill Downs on Tuesday

HONOR A. P. – C R K Stable LLC's Honor A.P., who arrived late Monday afternoon from California, had his first gallop over the Churchill track Tuesday morning at 7:30 and a few hours later was installed as the 5-1 second choice on the Kentucky Derby morning line after drawing post position 16.

“I just talked to (jockey) Mike (Smith) and he's happy with it,” trainer John Shirreffs said. “I think it's O.K. There's a long run to the first turn and I don't have to worry about getting pushed down on the outside.

“He's doing really well. He shipped in well. He got off the van here at Churchill Downs and looks very good.”

KING GUILLERMO – Victoria's Ranch's King Guillermo galloped 1 ½ miles at 5:15 a.m. Tuesday under exercise rider Edgar Garcia.

“I sort of had that awe-inspiring feeling when I walked into Yankee Stadium for the first time as a player, but Churchill Downs is better,” owner Victor Martinez said.

MAJOR FED – Lloyd Madison Farm's Major Fed galloped 1 ½ miles at 5:15 a.m. Tuesday with Margarito Fierro in the saddle.

“He'll have a couple more good gallops and be ready for Saturday,” trainer Greg Foley said.

Major Fed drew post No. 5 in Saturday's “Run for the Roses.”

MAX PLAYER – George Hall and SportsBXL Thoroughbred's Max Player walked the shedrow of Hall of Fame trainer Steve Asmussen's barn Tuesday, one day after completing his final major preparation with a half-mile breeze in :49.80 Monday.

Max Player was moved to the Asmussen barn just after his third-place finish behind Kentucky Derby favorite Tiz the Law with the hopes that the winningest trainer in Churchill Downs history could get him ready for the “Run for the Roses.” The trainer has spent the last three weeks getting to know his new charge.

“Under these circumstances, I was very familiar with the horse because of the type of races he's been competing in. After the conversations about taking over his training, the first thing I did was watch all his videos, his workouts as well as all his races.

“I was extremely happy with how he came in. He rests well, he eats well. I think we've been able to do everything we wanted to do to get him ready for the Derby.”

MONEY MOVES – Robert LaPenta and Bortolazzo Stable's Money Moves arrived at Churchill Downs Tuesday morning from Saratoga.

Trained by Todd Pletcher who is not coming to Louisville, Money Moves will be stabled in Hall of Fame trainer D. Wayne Lukas' barn.

MR. BIG NEWS – Allied Racing's $200,000 Oaklawn Stakes winner Mr. Big News jogged a mile Tuesday morning at 6:30 a.m. for trainer Bret Calhoun.

Calhoun reported the colt would likely train at 7:30 a.m. Wednesday.

NECKER ISLAND – Raymond Daniels, Wayne Scherr and Will Harbut Racing Stables' Necker Island jogged in the mile chute stood in the starting gate and then galloped two miles under exercise rider Hillary Hartman.

Trained by Chris Hartman, Necker Island completed his major training for Derby 146 last Friday when he worked a half-mile in :48.40 under jockey Miguel Mena who was aboard for the first time.

“It was a good work,” said Mena, whose only other Derby ride came in 2010 aboard Backtalk. “He broke off about five lengths behind his workmate and we came through on the rail like Chris wanted me to. I got a good feel for him.”

Ny Traffic arrives at Churchill Downs

NY TRAFFIC – Haskell Invitational (GI) runner-up Ny Traffic arrived at Churchill Downs Tuesday morning after a Tex Sutton flight from Albany, New York that also brought Money Moves and Kentucky Derby morning line favorite Tiz the Law.

SOLE VOLANTE – Reeves Thoroughbred Racing and Andie Biancone's Sole Volante went out to train at 7:30 a.m. and jogged 1 ¼ miles with his co-owner in the saddle. Andie Biancone, the 23-year-old daughter of trainer Patrick Biancone has been wearing all three hats – owner, trainer and exercise rider – since arriving Sunday from South Florida with the horse, but expects to turn over the morning riding to the gelding's regular jockey Luca Panici later this week.

“He's feeling really good,” Biancone said. “He's fresh.”

SOUTH BEND – Gary Barber, Wachtel Stable, Peter Deutsch and Pantofel Stable's South Bend, fourth in the Travers (GI) in his most recent start, was a last-minute addition to the Derby 146 field Tuesday morning.

STORM THE COURT – David Bernsen, Exline-Border Racing, Dan Hudock and Susanna Wilson's Storm the Court galloped a mile under Thomas Dubaele, assistant to trainer Peter Eurton.

The 2-year-old champion of 2019 arrived at Churchill Downs on Monday afternoon from Southern California.

Julien Leparoux has the mount.

THOUSAND WORDS – Thousand Words, winner of the Shared Belief Stakes on Aug. 1, put in an easy jog under the watch of assistant trainer Jimmy Barnes in his first morning at Churchill Downs.

Several representatives from Spendthrift Farm, which co-owns Thousand Words along with Albaugh Family Stables, were on hand to watch the son of Pioneerof the Nile as he got his first feel for the track for trainer Bob Baffert.

TIZ THE LAW – Sackatoga Stable's Tiz the Law, the overwhelming favorite for Kentucky Derby 146, arrived at Churchill Downs Tuesday morning from Saratoga.

Barclay Tagg, who saddled 2003 Derby winner Funny Cide for Sackatoga, trains Tiz the Law.

WINNING IMPRESSION – West Point Thoroughbreds' and Pearl Racing's graded stakes placed Winning Impression galloped about 1 ½ miles Tuesday under exercise rider Emerson Chavez.

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Peslier To Take Romanised Ride

Olivier Peslier has picked up the mount on Romanised (Ire) (Holy Roman Emperor {Ire}) in Sunday’s G1 Prix du Moulin at ParisLongchamp, with regular rider Billy Lee set to stay in Ireland to avoid a two-week quarantine that would see him sit out Irish Champions Weekend.

Dual Group 1 winner Romanised was second in this race last season. He won the G2 Minstrel S. on his 5-year-old debut in July before settling for fifth over heavy ground in the G1 Prix Jacques le Marois on Aug. 16.

“Romanised is heading for the Prix du Moulin this weekend,” said trainer Ken Condon. “He did his last bit of work this morning and that went very smoothly. His blood tests are excellent and his scope was good, so he’s good to go.

“Olivier Peslier is going to take the ride. It’s going to be a small field, I’d say, and Olivier Peslier is world-class–we’ve all watched him for years. This horse needs to be ridden in a certain way. His strongest attribute is his turn of foot and we’ve got a very good man on our side.

“He’ll fly out Saturday. The ground is the most important factor and it looks like we should get good ground or on the quick side. He’s in good shape and we’re looking forward to it.”

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Kentucky Oaks Top 10 for Sept. 2

Four months after its initial date, the GI Kentucky Oaks is finally upon us and the race promises to be one of the best renditions ever of what has become the most important 3-year-old filly race on the calendar. This may be a two-horse race, but it is a two-horse race between two fillies, Swiss Skydiver (Daredevil) and Gamine (Into Mischief), who appear to be among the best of their generation. Superiority will be settled on the racetrack

With Swiss Skydiver and Gamine dominating the competition throughout the late spring and summer, cases of Oaks Fever were in short supply this year. Only nine entered the race, making this the smallest Oaks field since 2009 when Rachel Alexandra topped a field of seven.

1) GAMINE (Into Mischief—Peggy Jane, by Kafwain)

‘TDN Rising Star’ O-Michael L. Petersen. B-Grace Thoroughbred Holdings LLC (KY). T-Bob Baffert. Sales History: $220,000 yrl ’18 KEESEP; $1,800,000 2yo ’19 FTMMAY. Lifetime Record: MGISW, 4-3-0-0, $363,600.

Last Start: GI Longines Test S., SAR, Aug. 8

Accomplishments: 1st GI Longines Acorn S., BEL, June 20

Next Start: GI Longines Kentucky Oaks, CD, Sept. 4

Equineline PPs. KY Oaks Points: 50.

Installed as the even-money morning line favorite, Gamine drew post five. The game plan is obvious. She has a tremendous asset in her natural speed and will likely open up early and dare them to catch her. That may mean a quick pace, but Gamine seems capable of running fast early and having enough left late. She posted fractions of :22 3/5 and :45 in the GI Acorn and then drew off to win by 18 3/4 lengths. That, of course was at a mile and the Oaks is a mile-and-an-eighth, so she does have one important question to answer.

On the Beyer scale, she is clearly faster that Swiss Skydiver. She ran a 110 in the Acorn and a 108 in the GI Test. Swiss Skydiver’s best number is a 102.

Just six months into her career, Gamine has come a long way in a short period of time and had the Oaks been run May 1 there’s no way she would have been ready for the race. She made her second career start May 2 at Oaklawn in what normally would have been the day after the Oaks.

In the sorry-for-getting-way ahead-of-ourselves department: suppose Gamine wins the Oaks and Tiz the Law (Constitution) wins the GI Kentucky Derby. Could we possibly see a showdown for the ages between the two in the GI Preakness S? It’s worth noting that Gamine’s owner Michael Lund Petersen is from Baltimore.

2) SWISS SKYDIVER (Daredevil–Expo Gold, by Johannesburg)

O-Peter J Callahan. B-WinStar Farm (KY). T-Kenneth G McPeek. Sales History: $35,000 yrl ’18 KEESEP. Lifetime Record: MGSW, 9-5-2-1, $952,980.

Last Start: 1st GI Alabama S., SAR, Aug. 15

Next Start: GI Longines Kentucky Oaks, CD, Sept. 4

Equineline PPs. KY Oaks Points: 450.

It’s hard to imagine that a filly who is coming off a Grade I win, ran second against males in the GII Toyota Blue Grass S. and has four stakes wins this year could be second choice (8-5) in the morning line. That just tells you how highly regarded Gamine is.

It will be interesting to see what tactics jockey Tyler Gaffalione and trainer Kenny McPeek employ. Breaking from the one post, Swiss Skydiver is almost certain to be second in the early going behind Gamine. Will Gaffalione let Gamine get away from him or will he go after Gamine and try to take the fight to her early?

While Gamine remains an unknown at the distance, Swiss Skydiver will not have any problems at a mile-and-an-eighth. She didn’t blossom until McPeek was able to get her around two turns and has the very rare distinction of coming into the nine-furlong Oaks off a win at 10-furlongs, in the GI Alabama S.

She, too, could surface in the Preakness. McPeek has already tried her against boys once and is perhaps the most daring big-name trainer in the sport today.

3) SPEECH (Mr Speaker—Scribbling Sarah, by Freud)

O-Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners. B-Gail Rice (FL).

T-Michael W. McCarthy. Sales history: $65,000 ylg ’18 OBSWIN; $95,000 RNA ylg ’18 FTKJUL; $190,000 2yo ’19 OBSMAR. Lifetime Record: GISW, 7-2-4-1, $353,840.

Last Start: 1st GI Ashland S., KEE, July 11

Next Start: GI Longines Kentucky Oaks, CD, Sept. 4

Equineline PPs. KY Oaks Points: 160.

How the race unfolds may also dictate how this filly fares and whether or not she will have any chance to unseat Gamine and Swiss Skydiver. Speech drew post four and trainer Michael McCarthy sees her sitting just off of Gamine and Swiss Skydiver. If those two hook up in a duel Speech could get a perfect trip.

“It kind of makes things pretty clear for us,” McCarthy said after the draw. “We’ve got speed outside of us and speed down inside. I think [Gamine and Swiss Skydiver] will probably keep each other company. Hopefully we can tuck in right behind them and have a nice trip.”

But will that be enough? Speech won the GI Ashland S. in her previous start, but before that she kept finishing behind fillies she will meet in this race. She was second behind Swiss Skydiver in the GII Santa Anita Oaks, second behind Gamine in an allowance at Oaklawn (she was subsequently placed first when Gamine tested positive for a prohibited substance) and second behind Donna Veloce in the GIII Santa Ysabel S.

A very good filly who was probably born in the wrong year.

4) DONNA VELOCE (Uncle Mo—Coin Broker {Ire}, by Montjeu http://www.fasigtipton.com/{Ire}) ‘TDN Rising Star‘ O-Kaleem Shah, Susan Magnier, Michael Tabor & Derrick Smith. B-Coin Broker Syndicate (KY). T-Simon Callaghan. Sales History: $450,000 yrl ’18 KEESEP; $800,000 2yo ’19 FTFMAR. Lifetime Record: MGISP, 4-2-2-0, $490,000.

Last Start: 1st GIII Santa Ysabel S., SA, Mar. 8.

Next Start: Possible for GI Longines Kentucky Oaks, CD, Sept. 4 OR GII Eight Belles S., CD, Sept. 4

Equineline PPs. KY Oaks Points: 62.

Just a few weeks ago it didn’t appear that Donna Veloce had any chance of making the Kentucky Oaks. She was working for trainer Simon Callaghan, but hadn’t raced since winning the March 8 Santa Ysabel and had fallen off the radar. But after a work last Friday at Del Mar Callaghan signaled his intention to start the filly in the Oaks. The other option was the GII Eight Belles S. at seven furlongs.

She was good enough to easily defeat Speech in the Santa Ysabel after stumbling at the start, but it’s hard to imagine her winning such a tough race after such a long layoff.

Ricardo Santana, Jr. replaces Flavien Prat, who elected to stay at Del Mar for the weekend.

5) SHEDARESTHEDEVIL (Daredevil–Starship Warpspeed, by Congrats)

O-Flurry Racing Stables LLC, Qatar Racing Limited & Big Aut Farms. B-WinStar Farm, LLC (KY). T-Brad Cox. Sales History: $100,000 wlg ’17 KEENOV; $20,000 RNA yrl ’18 KEESEP; $280,000 2yo ’19 KEENOV. Lifetime Record: MGSW, 9-4-2-2, $501,768.

Last Start: 1st GIII Indiana Oaks, IND, July 8

Next Start: GI Longines Kentucky Oaks, CD, Sept. 4

Equineline PPs. KY Oaks Points: 90.

Though she’s won her last two starts, the race that really tells you where Shedaresthedevil stacks up is the GIII Fantasy S. run May 1 at Oaklawn. She appeared to run her race that day but was third–beaten 13 1/4 lengths–by Swiss Skydiver. She came back to win an allowance at Churchill and the GIII Indiana Oaks, but couldn’t get out of the eighties when it comes to Beyer numbers. The Oaks is loaded this year and it’s very hard to see Shedaresthedevil or any of the long shots posting what would be a monumental upset.

6) HOPEFUL GROWTH (Tapiture—Maiden America, by Rock Hard Ten)

O-St Elias Stable. B-Phillips Racing Partnership (KY). T-Anthony Margotta Jr. Sales History: $160,000 Ylg ’18 KEESEP. Lifetime Record: GSW, 5-3-1-0, $183,240.

Last Start: 1st GIII Monmouth Oaks, MTH, Aug. 1

Next Start: GI Longines Kentucky Oaks, CD , Sept. 4

Equineline PPs. KY Oaks Points: 50.

Like many in this race, it would be a noteworthy accomplishment if she could finish third or fourth. It’s hard to imagine anything better than that. She seemed to be a cut below even Grade III company until her last stat when she scored an upset at 11-1 in the GIII Monmouth Oaks. Trainer Anthony Margotta, Jr. went with the blinkers that day, so that may be what woke her up. Appears to be getting better but would take a monumental improvement for her to win the Oaks.

7) DREAM MARIE (Graydar–Lin Marie, by Curlin

O-Miracles International Trading; B-Wynnstay LLC & GWR LLC (KY); T-Matthew Williams. Sales History: $10,000 yrl ’18 FTKOCT; $25,000 2yo ’19 OBSMAR. Lifetime Record: GSP, 11-3-2-1, $160,160.

Last Start: 4th GIII Monmouth Oaks, MTH, Aug. 1

Next Start: GI Longines Kentucky Oaks, CD, Sept. 4

Equineline PPs. KY Oaks Points: 35

Part of the bottom three in the field, all of whom are 50-1 in the morning line, and will be hard pressed to finish among the top four. Showed a little life when second in the GIII Delaware Oaks, but followed that up with a dull showing when fourth in the Monmouth Oaks. Should she somehow win it would make for quite a human interest story. Trainer Matthew Williams is a native of Jamaica who is just 24. He has a five-horse stable and all of his horses are owned by his family’s Miracles International Trading Inc.

8 ) TEMPERS RISING (Bayern—Marchmont, by Mountain Cat)

O-Mark H & Nancy W Stanley; B-Dr Bryan Boone DVM (KY); T-Dallas Stewart. Sales History: $50,000 Wlg ’17 KEENOV; $70,000 Ylg ’18 KEESEP; $145,000 RNA 2yo ’19 OBSMAR; $170,000 RNA 2yo ’19 FTMMAY; $150,000 RNA HIT ’20 KEEHRA. Lifetime Record: 10-1-5-2, $222,627.

Last Start: 2nd Alw/Opt. Clm., ELP, July 31

Next Start: GI Longines Kentucky Oaks, CD, Sept. 4

Equineline PPs. KY Oaks Points: 47

Trainer Dallas Stewart is best known for his ability to get seemingly hopeless long shots to win or run well in huge spots, but even he appears to be overmatched this time. The daughter of Bayern was at her best when second in the GII Fair Grounds Oaks in March, but seems to have gone in the wrong direction since then. She was beaten 10 lengths in May in an allowance at Churchill and then failed to win as the favorite in a July 31 allowance at Ellis Park.

9) BAYERNESS (Bayern—Weight No More, by Pure Prize)

O-Belladonna Racing, LLC; B-Machmer Hall (KY); T-Cherie DeVeaux. Sales History: $170,000 yrl ’18 KEESEP; $350,000 2yo ’19 EASMAY. Lifetime Record: 5-2-0-2, $131,200.

Last Start: 3rd GIII Indiana Oaks, IND, July 8

Next Start: GI Longines Kentucky Oaks, CD, Sept. 4

Equineline PPs. KY Oaks Points: 8.

She is actually the only horse in the race ever to beat Swiss Skydiver, which she accomplished in an allowance last November at Churchill Downs. But Swiss Skydiver has improved dramatically since while this filly is still looking for her next win. Has struggled this year, finishing a distant seventh in the GII Davona Dale S. and a distant third on both the GIII Dogwood S. and the GIII Indiana Oaks. Is trained by former Chad Brown assistant Cherie DeVaux.

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