Saturday's Santa Anita Oaks (G2) could have up to a field of eight, including Faiza and And Tell Me Nolies, the top-two finishers in the Santa Ysabel (G3) March 5 at the Arcadia, Calif. track.
Faiza, the expected favorite in the Oaks, completed her final major preparations on Saturday with a six-furlong work in 1:12.60 for trainer Bob Baffert. The Girvin filly is a perfect 4-for-4 which includes additional stakes wins in the Starlet (G1) and Las Virgenes (G3).
And Tell Me Nolies, winner of last year's Del Mar Debutante (G1) and Chandelier (G2), returned from a four-month layoff in the Santa Ysabel and was beaten 2 ¼ lengths by Faiza. Trained by Peter Miler, she also had her final tune-up on Saturday with a five-furlong work in 1:01.80.
Two fillies coming off sharp maiden wins are also expected for the Oaks. Clearly Unhinged was a front-running 3 ¼-length winner in her how going 6½ furlongs here on Feb. 5. Trained by Michael McCarthy, the Bernardini filly worked a bullet on Saturday when going five furlongs in :59.60. It was the fastest of 53 moves at the distance.
Clearly Unhinged earned a 89 Beyer Speed Figure for her debut win, which is the highest recorded among the prospective group for the Oaks.
Princess Bettina, who won the China Doll on turf here March 18 for trainer Peter Eurton, is also targeting the Oaks. She returned to work tab on Saturday with an easy half mile move in 49.20 seconds.
Also listed as possible for the Oaks by the Santa Anita racing office are romping maiden winner Window Shopping and stablemate Venganza for trainer Richard Mandella; Justique, who was fourth in the Santa Ysabel for trainer John Shirreffs; and Gila, who won a $30,000 maiden-claimer by 12 ½ lengths on March 12 at Santa Anita for trainer Steve Knapp.
After training hours Sunday, Mandella confirmed he plans to enter both Window Shopping and Venganza. Window Shopping aired by 16½ lengths in maiden race taken off the turf at Santa Anita March 17. It was the American Pharoah filly's only start this year and first since debuting on turf at Del Mar on Nov. 13. Venganza won her debut March 1 at Santa Anita in a six-furlong maiden race that was also taken off the turf.
The post Faiza, And Tell Me Nolies Among Fillies Expected For Santa Anita Oaks appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.
