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No Baffert Trainees Nominated to Oaks

A total of 103 horses have been nominated to the GI Kentucky Oaks and they all have one thing in common: none are trained by Bob Baffert.

According to Churchill Downs Senior Director, Media Services, Darren Rogers, it was not a case of Churchill rejecting Baffert's nominees, but a matter of Baffert failing to nominate any horses.

Baffert is under suspension at Churchill and ineligible to race in the Oaks, but that doesn't mean that horses currently under his care won't be able to compete in the race. Baffert's owners have the option of removing their horses from his barn and giving them to another trainer, which would allow them to run in the Oaks. Owners also have the option of paying a $1,500 late nomination fee that would make their horses eligible for the Oaks. If a horse has still not been nominated by April 16, a $25,000 supplemental entry fee can be paid at entry time.

Baffert and his legal team could also find a solution through the court system, perhaps getting an injunction or finding some other avenue that would force Churchill to accept his entries.

Why Baffert did not nominate any of his horses is unclear. Was it a sign that he is not going to fight the Churchill ban and is resigned to not competing in either the Oaks or the GI Kentucky Derby? And, with the chance that his horses could compete in the Oaks for another trainer, why wouldn't their owners have made sure that the nomination fee, which is just $200, was paid?

The TDN sent texts to Baffert and his lawyers Clark Brewster and Craig Robertson and only Brewster responded, writing “Bob is considering all options.”

Baffert has won the Oaks three times, most recently in 2017 with Abel Tasman (Quality Road).

Baffert has a handful of horses who, under normal circumstances, would be considered top threats for the Oaks. His team of 3-year-old fillies is led by GIII Las Virgenes S. winner Adare Manor (Uncle Mo), who is No. 1 in the latest edition of the TDN's Kentucky Oaks Top 10. The TDN list also includes the Baffert-trained Eda (Munnings) at No. 6. She is the winner of last year's GI Starlet S., but has not run since.

Baffert's top colts have been nominated to the Kentucky Derby, but the process of nominating for the Derby is different from the Oaks. The 3-year-old males are nominated to all three Triple Crown races at once and there are no restrictions in place that would keep Baffert out of the GI Preakness S.

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TDN Kentucky Oaks Top 10 for Feb. 24

The GII Rachel Alexandra S., the first prep on the year for the GI Kentucky Oaks in which 50 points are awarded to the winner, topped last weekend's action and produced a surprising result. Turnerlooose (Nyquist), a 17-1 shot conditioned by Brad Cox, and the Todd Pletcher-trained Goddess of Fire (Mineshaft), who was 15-1, finished one two. A Cox-Pletcher exacta somehow paid $437.40. Both fillies enter our Top 10. La Crete, who was eighth in our standings, suffered a condylar fracture and has been retired.

Last week's action also included a win by 'TDN Rising Star' Shahama (Munnings) in the GIII UAE Oaks at Meydan. She earned 50 Oaks points for the victory, but there's been no word yet from the connections regarding a possible Oaks start.

Juju's Map (Liam's Map), the runner-up in last year's GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies, has yet to have a work this year and has dropped out of our rankings. Gerrymander (Into Mischief) has also been dropped. She has yet to make a start this year and we'll gladly include her again when she makes it to the starting gate.

We'll learn more about the fillies taking the Arkansas route to the Oaks as Oaklawn will present the GIII Honeybee S. on Saturday.

Here's a look at the top 3-year-old fillies who are aiming for the May 6 Oaks:

1) ADARE MANOR (Uncle Mo–Brooklynsway, by Giant's Causeway) O-Michael Lund Petersen; B-Town & Country Horse Farms, LLC & Gary Broad (KY); T-Bob Baffert. Sales History: $180,000 ylg '20 FTKFEB; $190,000 RNA ylg '20 FTKSEL; $375,000 2yo '21 OBSOPN. Lifetime Record: GSW, 4-2-1-0, $56,600. Last Start: 1st GIII Las Virgenes S. Next Start: TBA. KY Oaks Points: N/A.

What's not to like? Adare Manor has run back-to-back 94 Beyers, and the 94 is the top number this year among all 3-year-old fillies. No one is faster. And it may be that no one is better. By super sire Uncle Mo, she absolutely dominated in the Feb. 6 GIII Las Virgenes S., winning by 13 lengths. She had her first post-Las Virgenes work on Feb. 20, going three furlongs in :36.60. The elephant in the room remains Baffert. As things now stand, he is under suspension and cannot compete in the Oaks or any race at Churchill. And his colts and fillies do not accrue ant points in Derby or Oaks preps. Owner Michael Lund Petersen has remained loyal to Baffert, but what will he do if the situation means this very fast filly cannot run in the Oaks as long as Baffert is the trainer?

2) NEST (Curlin–Marion Ravenwood, by A.P. Indy) O-Repole Stable, Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners & Michael House; B-Ashview Farm & Colts Neck Stables (KY); T-Todd Pletcher. Sales History: $350,000 ylg '20 KEESEP. Lifetime Record: GSW, 4-3-0-1, $265,000. Last Start: 1st Suncoast S. Next Start: GI Central Bank Ashland S., KEE, Apr. 8. KY Oaks Points: 20.

Nest made the biggest move of any up this chart, going from ninth to second. She did so with a win in the Feb. 12 Suncoast S. at Tampa Bay Downs. At 3-10, she was the overwhelming favorite and didn't face much in the way of competition. That said, she couldn't have been more impressive. With Irad Ortiz, Jr. aboard, Nest swept past the leaders on the far turn and then drew off with ease to win by six lengths.

“We're all very pleased with her performance,” trainer Todd Pletcher said. “She did it professionally and seemed to finish with good energy. We're very excited. She should improve with time and distance.”

Pletcher has a chance to pull off a rare double in the Kentucky Oaks. After Malathaat (Curlin) won last year, he'll be trying for not just his second straight Oaks win, but his second straight with a daughter of Curlin. Nest cost $350,000 at Keeneland September and is owned by the partnership of Repole Stable, Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners and Michael House. Repole doesn't buy many fillies at the sales, but has come across a good one in Nest.

3) KATHLEEN O. (Upstart–Quaver, by Blame) O-Winngate Stables, LLC; B-Gainesway Thoroughbreds Ltd. & Bridlewood Farm (KY); T-Shug McGaughey. Sales History: $8,000 wlg '19 KEENOV; $50,000 ylg '20 OBSOCT; $275,000 2yo '21 OBSAPR. Lifetime Record: SW, 2-2-0-0, $104,760. Last Start: 1st Cash Run S. Next Start: GII Davona Dale. S, GP, Mar. 5. KY Oaks Points: 0.

Amazing to think that this filly originally sold for just $8,000. That's what they got for her at the 2019 Keeneland November sale. She sold next at OBS October for $50,000 before Hall of Fame trainer Shug McGaughey bought her for $275,000 at OBS April for owner Pat Kearney.

She goes next in the GII Davona Dale S. Mar. 3 at Gulfstream. It could be a make-or-break race for her. Going into that race, her critics will point out that her races have been slow, a 67 Beyer in her debut followed by a 78 when winning the Cash Run S. at Gulfstream. Her fans will see a horse who has a ton of talent and upside. Unraced since Jan. 1, Kathleen O. has continued with a series of slow half-mile breezes at Payson Park. McGaughey has won the Oaks once, with Dispute in 1993.

4) SECRET OATH (Arrogate–Absinthe Minded, by Quiet American) O-Briland Farm; B-Briland Farm, Robert & Stacy Mitchell (KY); T-D. Wayne Lukas. Lifetime Record: SW, 5-3-0-1, $285,167. Last Start: 1st Martha Washington S. Next Start: GIII Honeybee S., OP, Feb. 26. KY Oaks Points: 10.

Trained by 86-year-old Hall of Famer D. Wayne Lukas, Secret Oath headlines Saturday's Honeybee S. at Oaklawn and has been made the 3-2 morning line favorite for the $300,000 race. A Kentucky-bred owned by Robert and Stacy Mitchell, who race under the name of Briland Farm, she doesn't have a lot to prove in the Honeybee. She meets just five others and, based off her recent form, shouldn't lose. She's flourished since getting to Oaklawn.

In her first three starts, she won just once and her top Beyer number was a 64. In Hot Springs, she's won her two starts by a combined 15 1/2 lengths with a 93 Beyer followed by an 88 in the Martha Washington S. It's hard to root against Lukas at a point in his career where not too many top owners seem willing to give one of the best trainers who ever lived a horse.

5) ECHO ZULU (Gun Runner–Letgomyecho, by Menifee) 'TDN Rising Star' O-L and N Racing LLC & Winchell Thoroughbreds LLC; B-Betz/J. Betz/Burns/CHNNHK/Magers/CoCo Equine/ Ramsby (KY); T-Steve Asmussen. Sales History: $300,000 ylg '20 KEESEP. Lifetime Record: Ch. 2yo Filly, MGISW, 4-4-0-0, $1,480,000. Last Start: 1st GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies S. Next Start: TBA. KY Oaks Points: 30.

She had been first on this list since it began earlier in the year, but have to knock her down a few pegs because it looks like she might not be ready to make the Oaks. The 2021 champion juvenile filly has had just three works this year. The latest was a five-furlong breeze in 1:02.40 on Feb. 21 at the Fair Grounds.

When asked if he thought Echo Zulu would make the Oaks, trainer Steve Asmussen replied: “Today, she isn't ready for it, but it doesn't run today.”

At the very best, it looks like Asmussen can only get one prep into her before the Oaks, whereas most horses have at least two. If she makes it, Echo Zulu figures to be a major factor in the Oaks. With wins in the GI Spinaway S., the GI Frizette S. and the GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies, she was easily the best 2-year-old filly in the sport last year.

6) EDA (Munnings–Show Me, by Lemon Drop Kid) O-Baoma Corporation; B-Nathan McCauley (KY); T-Bob Baffert. Sales History: $240,000 ylg '20 KEESEP; $550,000 2yo '21 OBSMAR. Lifetime Record: GISW, 6-4-1-0, $370,000. Last Start: 1st GI Starlet S. Next Start: TBA. KY Oaks Points: N/A.

Not sure where's she been or what she is up to. Was a late scratch from the Las Virgenes and did not enter the Honeybee. That may or may not mean her next start will be in the Mar. 6 GIII Santa Ysabel S. Trainer Bob Baffert hasn't announced any plans.

Since her last start, a win in the Dec. 4 GI Starlet S., Eda has been a regular on the work tab. It's hard to know what to make of her. She is a Grade I winner, but didn't beat the best of fields in the Starlet at Los Alamitos. In any other barn, she'd be a star. In Baffert's barm she's been overshadowed by Adare Manor. Like Adare Manor, her status for the Oaks is up in the air because of the Baffert ban at Churchill Downs.

7) HAPPY SOUL (Runhappy–Cowgirl Lucky, by Stephen Got Even) O-Gayla Rankin; B-Harris Training Center, LLC (KY); T-Wesley Ward. Sales History: $50,000 ylg '20 KEESEP. Lifetime Record: MSW, 4-3-1-0, $238,500. Last Start: 1st Dixie Belle S. Next Start: Under consideration for GI Central Bank Ashland S. KY Oaks Points: 0.

At this juncture in her career, she doesn't look like a good fit for the Oaks. With a bit more than two months remaining before the race, she's never gone beyond six furlongs. Yet, trainer Wesley Ward says she is under consideration for the Oaks and said Keeneland's GI Ashland S., a traditional prep for the Oaks, could be next for her.

While getting her to the Oaks may be too much to ask, there's no doubt that this filly by Runhappy has a ton of talent. At two, she broke her maiden by 11 3/4 lengths before winning the Astoria S. by 11 1/2 lengths. Off more than eight months, she beat up on a very good field last week to win the Dixie Belle S. at Oaklawn over six furlongs. This is a very fast horse. Her distance capabilities are the main question.

Happy Soul | Coady Photo

8) TURNERLOOSE (Nyquist–Goaltending, by A.P. Indy) O-Ike & Dawn Thrash; B-William Humphries & Altair Farms LLC (KY); T-Brad Cox. Sales History: $32,000 RNA wlg '19 KEENOV; $50,000 ylg '20 KEESEP. Lifetime Record: GSW, 5-3-0-1, $531,300. Last Start: 1st GII Rachel Alexandra S. Presented by Fasig-Tipton. Next Start: TBA. KY Oaks Points: 50.

Flew under the radar in the Rachel Alexandra and not because she couldn't run. She was two-for-four as a 2-year-old and won the $500,000 Juvenile Fillies S. at Kentucky Downs. But, coming into the Rachel Alexandra, she had never run on the dirt. Trainer Brad Cox took a shot with her in the Rachel Alexandra and it paid off with her first win in a graded stakes. Considering that her Beyer, an 81, was easily the best of her career, it may be that Turnerloose prefers the dirt. Not sure she beat a stellar group in the Rachel Alexandra. Her next start will tell us more. Cox said she will go next in either the GII Fair Grounds Oaks or the Ashland.

9) MAGIC CIRCLE (Kantharos–Magic Humor, by Distorted Humor) O-J.W. Singer LLC; B-Manitou Farm, LLC (KY); T-Rudy Rodriguez. Sales History: $50,000 yrl '20 KEEJAN; $110,000 2yo '21 OBSAPR. Lifetime Record: SW & GSP, 5-2-1-1, $194,000. Last Start: 1st Busanda S. Next Start: Busher S., AQU, Mar. 5. KY Oaks Points: 13.

New York in the winter may not be the ideal time or place to prepare a horse for the Kentucky Oaks, but you sure can make a lot of money staying at Aqueduct. Magic Circle couldn't beat the heavyweights in the Frizette, the Tempted or the GII Demoiselle, but after everyone else shipped to Florida she made her move. She won the $100,000 Busanda S. on Jan. 23 and will go next in the Big A's Busher S. It's a $250,000 race and she figures to be a solid favorite. Magic Circle is by Kantharos, which would suggest distance could be a problem, and trainer Rudy Rodriguez has admitted he thinks a two-turn, nine-furlong race may not be ideal for his filly.

10) GODDESS OF FIRE (Mineshaft–Feel That Fire, by Lightnin N Thunder) O/B-Red Oak Stable (KY); T-Todd Pletcher. Lifetime Record: MGSP, 5-1-2-1, $159,875. Last Start: 2nd GII Rachel Alexandra S. Presented by Fasig-Tipton. Next Start: TBA. KY Oaks Points: 22.

Like Turnerloose, Goddess of Fire snuck up on everyone when running a big second in the Rachel Alexandra. She broke her maiden last year at first asking at Saratoga, but struggled in stakes company after that, finishing a distant third in the GIII Pocahontas S. and then fifth in the Tempted. She showed a bit more when second in the Gasparilla S. in her 3-year-old debut, but it wasn't enough to suggest she would be a major player in this division. Has she improved or was her showing in the Rachel Alexandra a matter of that being a weak race?

The post TDN Kentucky Oaks Top 10 for Feb. 24 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

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TDN Kentucky Oaks Top 10 for Feb. 10

While several of the sport's best 3-year-old fillies have still yet to race this year, there were plenty of developments since we last checked in with our top 10 for the GI Kentucky Oaks. The biggest story came Sunday out of California, where Adare Manor (Uncle Mo) demolished the competition in the GIII Las Virgenes. A day earlier, Girl With a Dream (Practical Joke) won the GIII Forward Gal S. at seven furlongs at Gulfstream, upsetting 3-5 favorite Radio Days (Gun Runner). The runner-up appeared to be a serious Oaks candidate for Shug McGaughey, but she'll need to do more before cracking our top 10. At Aqueduct on Sunday, Shotgun Hottie (Gun Runner) won the Ruthless S. at seven furlongs and is on the bubble when it comes to making this list.

Here's a look at the top 3-year-old fillies who are aiming for the May 6 Oaks:

1) ECHO ZULU (Gun Runner–Letgomyecho, by Menifee) 'TDN Rising Star' O-L and N Racing LLC & Winchell Thoroughbreds LLC; B-Betz/J. Betz/Burns/CHNNHK/Magers/CoCo Equine/ Ramsby (KY); T-Steve Asmussen. Sales History: $300,000 ylg '20 KEESEP. Lifetime Record: MGISW, 4-4-0-0, $1,480,000. Last Start: 1st GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies S. Next Start: TBD. KY Oaks Points: 30.

Echo Zulu had her first work this year on Tuesday when breezing three furlongs in 39.80. “She's doing good,” trainer Steve Asmussen said. “I waited a few days after a lot of rain this week. We will continually pick it up with her.” With her first work coming on Feb. 8, it's clear Asmussen is in no hurry to get his soon-to-be-named champion back into the entries and he has not revealed yet where or when she will make her 3-year-old debut. Echo Zulu was nominated to the Triple Crown, but Asmussen has given no indication that he is thinking GI Kentucky Derby instead of the Oaks. After a stellar 2-year-old season, she deserves to be considered No. 1 until proven otherwise.

2) ADARE MANOR (Uncle Mo–Brooklynsway, by Giant Gizmo) O-Michael Lund Petersen; B-Town & Country Horse Farms, LLC & Gary Broad (KY); T-Bob Baffert. Sales History: $180,000 ylg '20 FTKFEB; $190,000 RNA ylg '20 FTKSEL; $375,000 2yo '21 OBSOPN. Lifetime Record: GSW, 4-2-1-0, $56,600. Last Start: 1st GIII Las Virgenes S. Next Start: TBD. KY Oaks Points: N/A.

Unlike most of Bob Baffert's top horses, Adare Manor was anything but an overnight sensation. She didn't break her maiden until her third start, which was when Baffert sent her two turns for the first time. A 12-length winner that day, she followed it up with another explosive effort in the Las Virgenes. She won by 13 lengths and got a 94 Beyer, the best for any 3-year-old filly this year. The only knock is that she faced just three rivals. Had she been trained by anyone else, Adare Manor would have gotten 10 Kentucky Oaks points, but no horses trained by Baffert are eligible to be awarded points for the Oaks or the GI Kentucky Derby. How will that situation be resolved and will owner Michael Lund Peterson stick with Baffert? Stay tuned. Baffert has not said where she will run next, but the GII Santa Anita Oaks Apr. 9 seems like the logical spot.

There's a lot to like about this filly. She is undefeated in two starts, overcame a sluggish start to win the Cash Run S. on Jan 1 at Gulfstream and is trained by Hall of Famer Shug McGaughey. The problem is that she isn't fast. She ran a 67 Beyer when breaking her maiden in November at Aqueduct and then a 78 when winning the Cash Run. McGaughey's horses never peak early, so there is no doubt a lot of upside with a filly that was visually impressive when winning at Gulfstream. She must still prove she can go two turns, and will get that chance in the GII Davona Dale S.

4) JUJU'S MAP (Liam's Map–Nagambie, by Flatter) O-Albaugh Family Stables LLC; B-Fred W. Hertrich III (KY); T-Brad Cox. Sales History: $190,000 ylg '20 KEEJAN; $300,000 ylg '20 KEESEP. Lifetime Record: GISW, 4-2-2-0, $620,800. Last Start: 2nd GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies. Next Start: TBD. KY Oaks Points: 18.

Trainer Brad Cox hasn't had much to say about his Grade I-winning filly who was second in the GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies behind Echo Zulu. As of Wednesday, she had yet to have her first published breeze of the year. If she doesn't show up on the work tab soon, we'll drop her from the list. That said, she clearly has the talent to be a major player in the 3-year-old filly division this year. Her 4 1/4-length win in the GI Darley Alcibiades S. was one of the more impressive races turned in by any 2-year-old filly in 2021.

5) SECRET OATH (Arrogate–Absinthe Minded, by Quiet American) O-Briland Farm; B-Briland Farm, Robert & Stacy Mitchell (KY); T-D. Wayne Lukas. Lifetime Record: SW, 5-3-0-1, $285,167. Last Start: 1st Martha Washington S. Next Start: GIII Honeybee S., OP, Feb. 26. KY Oaks Points: 10.

The story here is D. Wayne Lukas. The 86-year-old Hall of Famer is back in the spotlight with a filly that has the talent to give him his fifth Oaks win and his first since Seaside Attraction way back in 1990. When she won the Martha Washington S. it was Lukas's first stakes victory since Apr. 7, 2018, when he won the GIII Commonwealth S. at Keeneland. Secret Oath didn't show much until blowing out an allowance field at Oaklawn on Dec. 31, winning by 8 1/4 lengths. She backed that up with a 7 1/4-length win in the Martha Washington, also at Oaklawn.

Eda was a late scratch from the Las Virgenes and Baffert has yet to announce any future plans for her. Baoma Corp. director Ed Nevins said there is nothing amiss with the filly and she is still on track for the Oaks. Like Adare Manor, her status for the Oaks is up in the air because of Baffert's situation. She hasn't been seen since winning the GI Starlet S. at Los Alamitos on Dec. 4. It was an important win for her as it proved she could go two turns after she began her career with five straight tries in sprint races.

7) GERRYMANDER (Into Mischief–Ruby Lips, by Hard Spun) O-Klaravich Stables, Inc.; B-Town & Country Horse Farms, LLC & Pollock Farms (KY); T-Chad Brown. Sales History: $375,000 ylg '20 KEESEP. Lifetime Record: SW & GISP, 4-2-2-0, $235,500. Last Start: 1st Tempted S. Next Start: TBD. KY Oaks Points: 4.

Gerrymander, the winner of the Tempted S., has been making steady progress in Florida for Chad Brown. Her latest work was a four-furlong breeze in :48.80 at Payson Park. Brown said he has yet to pick out a race fo her. Normally, the Tempted is not that important a race, but Gerrymander beat Magic Circle (Kantharos) and Nest (Curlin) that day. Magic Circle came back to win the Busanda S. and Nest returned with a win in the GII Demoiselle S. Gerrymander has never run beyond a mile or around two turns.

8) LA CRETE (Medaglia d'Oro–Cavorting, by Bernardini) O/B-Stonestreet Stables (KY); T-Steve Asmussen. Lifetime Record: SW, 2-2-0-0, $159,460. Last Start: 1st Silverbulletday S. Next Start: GII Rachel Alexandra S., FG, Feb. 19. KY Oaks Points: 10.

La Crete is a very interesting filly for the Steve Asmussen barn. A half-sister to GI Cotillion S. winner Clairiere (Curlin) out of MGISW Cavorting (Bernardini), she entered the conversation for the Kentucky Oaks with a determined win in the Silverbulletday S. at the Fair Grounds. Since her top Beyer number is just a74, it looks like she's going to have to improve to pull off a win in a race like the Oaks, but, with her breeding and her connections, there is a lot of upside here. For her, the Rachel Alexandra will be a big test.

La Crete | Coady Photo

9) NEST (Curlin–Marion Ravenwood, by A.P. Indy) O-Repole Stable, Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners & Michael House; B-Ashview Farm & Colts Neck Stables (KY); T-Todd Pletcher. Sales History: $350,000 ylg '20 KEESEP. Lifetime Record: GSW, 3-2-0-1, $205,000. Last Start: 1st GII Demoiselle S. Next Start: Suncoast S., TAM, Feb. 12. KY Oaks Points: 10.

She will make her 3-year-old debut Saturday at Tampa Bay Downs in the Suncoast S. for the white-hot Todd Pletcher stable. Her biggest win came in the Demoiselle, but she didn't beat a stellar field that day. She might have an easy time of it in the Suncoast and then will get a big test in the GI Central Bank Ashland S. After winning last year with Malathaat (Curlin), Pletcher is looking to become the first trainer to win back-to-back Oaks' since his old boss, Wayne Lukas, did it in 1989 and 1990.

10) MAGIC CIRCLE (Kantharos–Magic Humor, by Distorted Humor) O-J.W. Singer LLC; B-Manitou Farm, LLC (KY); T-Rudy Rodriguez. Sales History: $50,000 yrl '20 KEEJAN; $110,000 2yo '21 OBSAPR. Lifetime Record: SW & GSP, 5-2-1-1, $194,000. Last Start: 1st Busanda S. Next Start: TBD. KY Oaks Points: 13.

Magic Circle failed in her first test in Grade I company, running a poor fourth in last year's Frizette S. But she's gotten better since then and picked up her first stakes win when taking down top honors in the Busanda S. on Jan. 23 ast the Big A. By Kantharos, her pedigree may not scream nine furlongs, but based on her win in the 1 1/8-mile Busanda, distance doesn't appear to be a problem. Trainer Rudy Rodriguez has yet to announce her next start.

The post TDN Kentucky Oaks Top 10 for Feb. 10 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

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Adare Manor Wins Las Virgenes By 13 Lengths

In a near replica of her smashing maiden win, Michael Lund Petersen's Adare Manor crushed three rivals by 13 lengths in Sunday's Grade 3, $200,000 Las Virgenes Stakes for 3-year-old fillies at Santa Anita in Arcadia, Calif. Trained by Bob Baffert and ridden by John Velazquez, Adare Manor got one mile in 1:37.11.

With longshot Gracelund Gray going to the front, Adare Manor, who was well in-hand, tracked her to the 3 ½-furlong pole and began to inch away as she quickly asserted her superiority. Turning for home, the Las Virgenes was a fait accompli, as Adare Manor opened up six widening lengths on Queen of Thorns in what developed into an equine procession.

“Today, I engaged her right from the gate and she got a little bit strong at the first turn, so I had to grab her a little bit to slow her down the first part of the race,” said Velazquez, who was aboard for a 12 length, gate to wire maiden victory at the same distance on Jan. 7. “Once we got to the half mile pole, I kind of put my hands down on her and her long stride just kept going like that.

“I just left her alone and let her get into her rhythm, and she just showed up today. I looked back a couple of times and I slowed it down. I looked up and saw they were pretty far (back) and I backed up, thinking, I should save something here although she was breathing fire up front. I didn't want to ask her down the lane and then Bob would get mad at me. I definitely wanted to save something.”

In her first stakes appearance, Adare Manor, a filly by Uncle Mo out of the Giant Gizmo mare Brooklynsway, was off at 2-5 and paid $2.80 and $2.10 with no show wagering.

“She duplicated her last race, you know, she's got that big, long stride on her,” said Baffert, who notched his record sixth win in the Las Virgenes. “I sprinted her twice and I thought she'd win each of those times and then I thought, well, she wants to go long…She's like an amazon, she's got that big, powerful (way of moving).

“She's got that big frame but she's quick. She relaxed nicely today… I think that time is pretty serious on this track. Just gotta keep 'em healthy. I've run her twice now (at the current meet), I don't want to come back too quick with her.”

Adare Manor is now 4-2-1-0 and with the winner's share of $120,000, she increased her earnings to $176,600.

In what amounted to a separate race, Queen of Thorns, who was second turning for home, stayed there, finishing 1 ¼ lengths in front of Miss Everything. Ridden by Flavien Prat, Queen of Thorns was off at 5-2 and paid $2.60 to place.

Fractions on the race were 22.72, 46.66, 1:11.06 and 1:23.75.

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