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The Kentucky Oaks Top 10 for April 11

Prep season for the GI Kentucky Oaks is over and we have a pretty good idea of who is going to be in the race and which ones are the horses to beat. With three major preps–the GI Ashland S., the GII Santa Anita Oaks and the GIII Gazelle S.–all run over the weekend, there was plenty of movement in our Top 10. But the very solid Tarifa (Bernardini) maintains the top spot for Brad Cox.

Here's a look at the latest installment of our Kentucky Oaks Top Ten:

Had someone done something spectacular in the GI Ashland S. at Keeneland, 'TDN Rising Star' Tarifa might have been knocked down a peg. It didn't happen that way. Tarifa's stablemate, Impel (Quality Road), who was getting all the hype prior to the Ashland ran third, but does not have enough points to get into the Oaks. There's just no knocks on Tarifa, who is four-for-five lifetime and is riding a three-race winning streak. She faced a tough bunch in the GII Fair Grounds Oaks Presented by Fasig-Tipton and prevailed. She's more steady than spectacular, but you know she will show up on Oaks Day for trainer Brad Cox, who will be seeking his third win in this race.

2) LESLIE'S ROSE (f, Into Mischief–Wildwood Rose {Ire}, by Galileo {Ire}) O-Whisper Hill Farm; B-John D. Gunther & Eurowest Bloodstock Services (Ky); T-Todd Pletcher. Sales history: $1,150,000 yrl '22 KEESEP. Lifetime Record: 'TDN Rising Star', GISW, 4-3-0-1, $467,800. Last start: WON GI Ashland S. Kentucky Oaks Points: 115. Next Start: GI Kentucky Oaks, May 3

The Ashland was easily the best Oaks prep run so far this year, so you have to give a lot of credit to the winner, 'TDN Rising Star' Leslie's Rose. She was bought by owner Mandy Pope at Keeneland September for $1.15 million and got her career off to a fast start, with two straight wins, including a 9 1/4-length romp in her debut. But she stubbed her toe when third at odds of 3-10 in the GII Davona Dale S. on a day when she had no excuses. The betting public all but gave up on her in the Ashland, sending her off at 9-1. It now looks like she may fulfill her potential after all. Trainer Todd Pletcher has won the race four times and will tie all-time leaders Woody Stephens and Wayne Lukas with a win.

Still another 'TDN Rising Star,' she sold for just $40,000 at the 2022 Fasig-Tipton Fall Yearling Sale. Trainer Kenny McPeek has a knack for finding good horses that didn't cost a lot and this is the latest example. She won her first two races by a combined margin of 17 1/2 lengths before finishing second in the GII Golden Rod S. as an odds-on favorite. But she was back at her best when scoring an easy four-length win in the GII Fantasy S. The Fantasy will be her only prep for the Oaks, but there's little doubt that McPeek willl have her tight enough and ready for the Kentucky Oaks.

4) JUST F Y I (f, Justify–Star Act, by Street Cry {Ire}) O/B-George Krikorian (Ky); T-Bill Mott. Lifetime Record: Ch. 2yo Filly, GISW, 4-3-1-0, $1,433,250. Last start: 2nd in GI Ashland S. Kentucky Oaks Points: 90. Next Start: GI Kentucky Oaks, May 3.

All things considered, she didn't run badly in the Ashland, even if it was her first career defeat. Trainer Bill Mott had to play catch-up after she missed a start in the GII Davona Dale S. with a fever. That meant she had to run well in the Ashland to have enough points to make the Oaks. She had a good trip under Junior Alvarado and looked to be within striking distance at the top of the stretch, but couldn't deliver the knockout punch. Every reason to believe she will run better in the Oaks.

5) POWER SQUEEZE (f, Union Rags–Callmethesqueeze, by Awesome Again) O-Lea Farms, LLC; B-Forging Oaks Farm, LLC (Ky); T-Jorge Delgado. Sales history: $50,000 yrl '22 KEESEP; $90,000 2yo '23 OBSAPR. Lifetime Record: GSW, 6-4-1-0, $337,450. Last start: WON GII Gulfstream Park Oaks, Mar. 30. Kentucky Oaks Points: 120. Next Start: GI Kentucky Oaks, May 3.

She flew in under the radar when winning the GII Gulfstream Park Oaks at odds of 11-1. It was her fourth straight win and her third straight in stakes company for high-percentage trainer Jorge Delgado. She originally sold for $50,000 at Keeneland September and then for $90,000 at OBS June. Has seemed to get better as the distances have gotten longer and is 2-for-2 around two turns.

6) WHERE'S MY RING (f, Twirling Candy–Mapit, by Tapit) O-Michael McMillan; B-Don Alberto Corporation (Ky); T-Val Brinkerhoff. Sales history: $100,000 yrl '22 KEESEP. Lifetime Record: GSW, 8-1-3-1, $202,620. Last start: WON GIII Gazelle S., Apr. 6. Kentucky Oaks Points: 125. Next Start: GI Kentucky Oaks, May 3.

You have to give trainer Val Brinkerhoff a lot of credit. He could have stayed on the West Coast with this filly, but that would mean facing off against the Baffert monsters in the GII Santa Anita Oaks. So he shipped her across the country to run in the Gazelle at Aqueduct, where the competition would be lacking. In fact, Where's My Ring was a maiden after seven starts coming into the race, but still went off as the 5-2 favorite. The win was more than good enough to get her into the Oaks, but the competition will much tougher than what she faced last Saturday at the Big A.

7) WAYS AND MEANS (f, Practical Joke–Strong Incentive, Warrior's Reward) O/B-Klaravich Stables (Ky); T-Chad Brown. Lifetime Record: GISP, 'TDN Rising Star,' 3-1-2-0, $165,750. Last start: 2nd Mar. 30 GII Gulfstream Park Oaks. Kentucky Oaks Points: 50. Next Start: GI Kentucky Oaks, May 3.

Is currently 16th on the leader board when it comes to her getting into the Oaks, so trainer Chad Brown is going to have to hope for some defections. But if she gets in, she can absolutely win. After romping by 12 3/4 lengths in her debut, she was second in the GI Spinaway S., but came out of that race with a chip in an ankle. That's why she didn't make her 3-year-old debut until the Mar. 30 GIIGulfstream Park Oaks. She had a tough trip that day, but managed to run second. Every reason to believe she will be better next time out, whether that's in the Oaks or not.

8) OUR PRETTY WOMAN (f, Medaglia d'Oro–Dazzletown, by Speightstown) O-Courtlandt Farms; B-Woods Edge Farm, LLC & Godolphin; T-Steve Asmussen. Sales History: $900,000 yrl '22 KEESEP. Lifetime Record: GSP, 3-2-1-0, $150,200. Last start: 2nd Mar. 23 GII Fair Grounds Oaks. Kentucky Oaks Points: 50. Next Start: GI Kentucky Oaks, CD, May 3.

She's 17th on the points list, so is another one who is going to need a break to make it into the Oaks starting gate. Trained by Steve Asmussen, this $900,000 Keeneland yearling purchase won her first two starts and then faced the acid test when meeting Tarifa in the Fair Grounds Oaks. She ran a huge race that day, finishing second, losing by just three-quarters of a length. She's lightly raced and didn't make her debut until Jan. 18 of this year. So there's plenty of room for improvement.

9) WEST OMAHA (f, West Coast–Birthday Bash, by Medaglia d'Oro) O/B-Gary and Mary West (Ky); T-Brad Cox. Lifetime Record: SW & MGSP, 6-2-3-1, $369,250. Last Start: 2nd GII Fantasy S. Kentucky Oaks Points: 90. Next Start: GI Kentucky Oaks, May 3.

After she won the Silverbulletday S. Presented by Fasig-Tipton, she looked like she'd be a major player in this division for Brad Cox. Instead, she ran third in the GIII Honeybee S. and second in the Fantasy S. It looks like the rest of the division has caught up to her and passed her. Will need to improve to contend in the Oaks.

10) LEMON MUFFIN (f, Collected–Pelt, by Canadian Frontier) O-Aaron Sones & Julie Gilbert; B-Mr & Mrs Theodore Kuster & Collected Syndicate (Ky); T-D W Lukas. Sales history: $20,000 yrl '22 KEESEP; $140,000 2yo '23 OBSAPR. Lifetime Record: GSW, 7-1-4-0, $324,000. Last Start: 7th GII Fantasy S. Kentucky Oaks Points: 50. Next Start: GI Kentucky Oaks, May 3.

Sometimes the Wayne Lukas-trained horses run their best when it is least expected. Lemon Muffin was terrible in the Fantasy, losing by 10 3/4 lengths. She was a different horse in her prior start when winning the Honeybee by 3 1/2 lengths at odds of 28-1. She was still a maiden at the time and had never gone beyond seven furlongs. But instead of that race vaulting her forward, it seemed to have caused her to take a step in the wrong direction. Will be a big longshot in the Oaks, but you can never throw the cagey Lukas out.

The post The Kentucky Oaks Top 10 for April 11 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

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The Kentucky Oaks Top 10 for April 4

It's come down to the last few preps. An outstanding field will meet Friday at Keeneland in the GI Ashland S. Four horses on our Top 10 list will take part in that race. At Aqueduct, they'll be vying for a spot in the field for the GI Kentucky Oaks in the GIII Gazelle S. At Santa Anita, fillies will contest the GII Santa Anita Oaks, but the horse expected to be he heavy favorite, Kinza (Carpe Diem), is trained by Bob Baffert and is therefore ineligible to run in the Oaks. By Saturday evening, we should know who will be running in the Oaks and who the favorites will be.

Here's a look at the latest installment of our Kentucky Oaks Top Ten:

1) TARIFA (f, Bernardini–Kite Beach, by Awesome Again) O/B-Godolphin (KY); T-Brad Cox. Lifetime Record: 'TDN Rising Star', MGSW, 5-4-0-0, $518,925. Last start: WON Mar. 23 GII Fair Grounds Oaks. Kentucky Oaks Points: 150. Next Start:
GI Kentucky Oaks, CD, May 4.
If the Oaks were run today, Tarifa would be the favorite. She emerged this year for trainer Brad Cox and has won three straight races, including the GII Fair Grounds Oaks, Presented by Fasig-Tipton and the GII Rachel Alexandra S., Presented by Fasig-Tipton. She is good, seems to be getting better and no one is better with 3-year-old fillies than her trainer, Brad Cox. The only way she won't be the favorite is if stablemate Impel (Quality Road) puts on a show in the Ashland on Friday at Keeneland.
Tarifa's top Beyer, the 95 that she earned in the Fair Grounds Oaks is the best this year among all 3-year-old fillies.

2) IMPEL (f, Quality Road–Your Love, by Flatter) O/B-Juddmonte (Ky); T-Brad Cox. Lifetime Record: 'TDN Rising Star' 2-2-0-0, $115,200. Last Start: WON Oaklawn AOC, Mar. 3. Kentucky Oaks Points: 0. Next Start: GI Ashland S., KEE, April 5.
If Tarifa loses in the Oaks, it may only be because stablemate Impel is faster. She looked nothing less than sensational when winning a Mar. 3 allowance at Oaklawn by 8 1/2 lengths. She got a 91 Beyer that day. A Juddmonte homebred, she faces the acid test in the Ashland, which will be her stakes debut. She's the 2-1 morning-line favorite. But with just two starts under her belt, does she have enough seasoning? Is she ready to be tested by some of the best in the division? Those questions should be answered Friday and a win by Impel may make her the horse to beat on the first Friday in May.

3) THORPEDO ANNA (f, Fast Anna–Sataves, by Uncle Mo) O-Brookdale Racing, Inc., Mark Edwards, Judy B. Hicks & Magdalena Racing (Sherri McPeek); B-Judy Hicks (Ky); T-Kenneth McPeek. Sales history: $40,000 yrl '22 FTKOCT. Lifetime Record: GSW, 4-3-1-0, $584,363. Last Start: WON GII Fantasy S., Mar. 30. Kentucky Oaks Points: 105. Next Start: GI Kentucky Oaks, May 3.
This 'TDN Rising Star' cracks the list for the first time this year and lands on the No. 3 spot after her impressive win in the GII Fantasy S. at Oaklawn. A bargain buy at the 2022 Fasig-Tipton Kentucky Fall yearling sale for $40,000, her breakthrough race was a Nov. 10 allowance at Churchill which she won by nine lengths, earning an 87 Beyer. She faltered a bit in her next start when finishing second in the GII Golden Rod S. as the odds-on favorite. But she roared back with the authoritative win in the Fantasy in what was her first start this year. Trainer Kenny McPeek has had a lot of success with yearling purchases in the neighborhood of $40,000. It looks like he has done it again.

4) JUST F Y I (f, Justify–Star Act, by Street Cry {Ire}) O/B-George Krikorian (Ky); T-Bill Mott. Lifetime Record: Ch. 2yo filly, GISW, 3-3-0-0, $1,317,750. Last start: WON Nov. 3 GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies. Kentucky Oaks Points: 40. Next Start: GI Ashland S., KEE, April 5.
The champ is back. After being scratched from the GII Davona Dale S. because of a fever, she has been re-routed to the Ashland. With her coming off a five-month layoff and with the Oaks being the main goal, how ready will trainer Bill Mott have her? But the main question that remains is this: is she fast enough? Despite a 3-for-3 record last year, an Eclipse Award and a win in the GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies, her Beyer numbers suggest she's not quite as good as she looks on paper. She needs to step up her game, but there's no reason she can't do just that.

5) JODY'S PRIDE (f, American Pharoah–Jody's Song, by Scat Daddy) O-Parkland Tbreds & Sportsmen Stable; B-Mr. Steve Weston (Ky); T-J Abreu. Lifetime Record: MSW & GISP, 4-3-1-0, $590,250. Last start: WON Mar. 2 Busher S. Kentucky Oaks Points: 65. Next Start: GI Ashland S., KEE, April 5.
She's a little like Just F Y I. She doesn't run particularly fast, but she just keeps on winning. After finishing second and losing by just a neck to Just F Y I in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies, she returned with an easy win over outclassed rivals in the Busher Invitational S. at Aqueduct. Her connections were going to keep her in New York for the Gazelle, but changed their minds and have wound up instead in the Ashland. To show how tough the Ashland is, she is 8-1 on the morning line. She would have been an odds-on favorite in the Gazelle, so it's a bit puzzling that the connections wound up going to Keeneland instead of staying in New York.

6) POWER SQUEEZE (f, Union Rags–Callmethesqueeze, by Awesome Again) O-Lea Farms, LLC; B-Forging Oaks Farm, LLC (Ky); T-Jorge Delgado. Sales history: $50,000 yrl '22 KEESEP; $90,000 2yo '23 OBSAPR. Lifetime Record: GSW, 6-4-1-0, $337,450. Last start: WON GII Gulfstream Park Oaks, Mar. 2. Kentucky Oaks Points: 120. Next Start: GI Kentucky Oaks, May 3.
She came into the GII Gulfstream Park Oaks riding a three-race winning streak, which included a pair of stakes races. But she was totally overlooked Saturday at Gulfstream, going off at 11-1. She beat the 1-2 favorite and much hyped Ways and Means (Practical Joke), winning by a neck. She was ridden in the Gulfstream Park Oaks by Daniel Centeno. It will be interesting to see if the journeyman keeps the mount. After sprinting earlier in her career, she is 3-for-3 around two turns. Don't go to sleep on this one.

7) KOPION (f, Omaha Beach–Galloping Ami, by Victory Gallop) O-Spendthrift Farm; B-Tall Oaks Farm (Ky); T-Richard Mandella. Sales history: $270,000 yrl '22 KEESEP. Lifetime Record: GSW, 3-2-1-0, $116,600. Last start: 2nd Feb. 10 GIII Las Virgenes S. Kentucky Oaks Points: 20. Next Start: GII Santa Anita Oaks, SA, April 6.
May be the only California-based filly to make it to the Kentucky Oaks. She goes Saturday in the GII Santa Anita Oaks and will once again face her nemesis, Kinza. If the race runs to form, Kinza will win and Kopion will be second. That would give Kopion enough points to make it into the field for the Oaks, where she could be in the neighborhood of 15-1. Then again, if Kinza is as good as some people think, doesn't Kopion deserve a lot of credit for finishing second behind her?

8) WAYS AND MEANS (f, Practical Joke–Strong Incentive, Warrior's Reward) O/B-Klaravich Stables (Ky); T-Chad Brown. Lifetime Record: GISP, 'TDN Rising Star,' 3-1-2-0, $165,750. Last start: 2nd Mar. 30 GII Gulfstream Park Oaks. Kentucky Oaks Points: 50. Next Start: GI Kentucky Oaks, May 3.
She romped in her maiden debut at Saratoga and then finished second in the GI Spinaway S., despite the fact she took a chip off her right ankle and was lame afterward. That meant a long trip to the sidelines before she launched her comeback in the Gulfstream Park Oaks where she did everything right but win. She was steadied going into the first turn, raced wide throughout and then made what appeared to be a winning move in the stretch. She just ran out of gas in the final sixteenth, which is perfectly understandable. Trainer Chad Brown is eyeing the Oaks, but says he's worried his filly won't have enough points to make it into the field of 14.

9) OUR PRETTY WOMAN (f, Medaglia d'Oro–Dazzletown, by Speightstown) O-Courtlandt Farms; B-Woods Edge Farm, LLC and Godolphin; T-Steve Asmussen. Sales History: $900,000 yrl '22 KEESEP. Lifetime Record: GSP, 3-2-1-0, $150,200. Last start: 2nd Mar. 23 GII Fair Grounds Oaks. Kentucky Oaks Points: 50. Next Start: GI Kentucky Oaks, CD, May 3.
A $900,000 yearling buy, the daughter of Medaglia d'Oro gave divisional leader Tarifa all she could handle in the Fair Grounds Oaks. She battled every step of the way before finishing second by three-quarters of a length. It was only her third start and first in a stakes, so she has plenty of room for improvement. She's quick from the gate and may be the one setting the pace in the Oaks. If she gets a good trip, there's no reason why she can't win.

10) LESLIE'S ROSE (f, Into Mischief–Wildwood Rose {Ire}, by Galileo {Ire}) O-Whisper Hill Farm; B-John D. Gunther & Eurowest Bloodstock Services (Ky); T-Todd Pletcher. Sales history: $1,150,000 yrl '22 KEESEP. Lifetime Record: 'TDN Rising Star', GSP, 3-2-0-1, $89,950. Last start: 3rd Mar. 2 GII Davona Dale S. Kentucky Oaks Points: 15. Next Start: GI Ashland S., KEE, April 5.
A $1.15-million purchase at Keeneland September by Into Mischief, she is 2-for-3 lifetime. This Todd Pletcher trainee has the potential to be a very good horse. She just needs to prove it in stakes company. At odds of 3-10, she was third in the Davona Dale in her stakes debut and was beaten 2 1/4 lengths. It wasn't a terrible effort, but she was somewhat of a disappointment. She must run well in the Ashland and pick up some points in order to earn a spot in the Oaks field.

The post The Kentucky Oaks Top 10 for April 4 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

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Kentucky Oaks Top 10: Strange Year Continues

It continues to be a strange year on the road to the GI Kentucky Oaks. It's been a division where no one seemed ready to step to the front and become a clear leader of the group. That, sort of, changed Sunday in the GIII Santa Ysabel S. Sunday at Santa Anita. Faiza (Girvin) stayed undefeated in four starts with a 2 1/4-length win and, under normal circumstances, would have gone to No. 1 on this list. But the filly, who is trained by Bob Baffert and owned by Michael Lund Petersen, was not nominated to the Oaks and is not eligible to run because she stayed in the Baffert barn beyond the deadline for his horses to move to other trainers to be eligible for Oaks points.

Perhaps someone would emerge from the GII Davona Dale S. at Gulfstream, which included two horses that had been in our Top 10 in Red Carpet Ready (Oscar Performance) and Leave No Trace (Outwork). Red Carpet Ready was a well-beaten third and Leave No Trace was eased. The winner was an impossible longshot, 46-1 shot Dorth Vader (Girvin) .

The bottom-line? With nine weeks to go, the division is in disarray and the Kentucky Oaks is anyone's race.

1) WONDER WHEEL (f, Into Mischief–Wonder Gal, by Tiz Wonderful) O-D. J. Stable LLC. B-Three Chimneys Farm, LLC & Clearsky Farm (Ky). T-Mark Casse. Sales history: $275,000 yrl '21 KEESEP. Lifetime Record: Ch. 2yo Filly & MGISW, 6-4-2-0, $1,570,725. Last Start: 2nd Suncoast S. at Tampa Bay Downs Feb. 11. Kentucky Oaks Points: 48.

Despite the loss at 1-2 in her 3-year-old debut in the Suncoast S. at Tampa Bay Downs, Wonder Wheel's connections remain high on their filly.

“As far as her training, she's been breezing and training outstandingly well,” said Jon Green, the general manager of DJ Stable. “That race at Tampa really tightened her up. It served exactly the purpose we wanted. We would have liked to have won, but the main goal was to get her sea legs back under her and make it to the [GI Apr. 7] Ashland and the Oaks will be next on the agenda.”

Green said Wonder Wheel will be transferred from trainer Mark Casse's training center to Keeneland about two weeks before the Ashland.

“That's her home track,” he said. “She loves racing and training there. She will remain there after the Ashland right up until the Oaks.”

In most any other year, the loss in the Suncoast would have knocked her out of the top spot, but with no one else among the top contenders stepping up so far this year, she remains our No. 1 and she is the morning line favorite at 8-1 in the Oaks Future Wager.

2) HOOSIER PHILLY (f, Into Mischief–Tapella, by Tapit) O-Gold Standard Racing Stable, LLC. B-Candy Meadows, LLC (Ky). T-Thomas Amoss. Sales history: $510,000 yrl '21 KEESEP. Lifetime Record: GSW, 4-3-0-1, $462,610. Last Start: 3rd GII Rachel Alexandra S. at Fair Grounds Feb. 18. Kentucky Oaks Points: 25.

It's still hard to know what to make of her third-place finish in the Rachel Alexandra S., presented by Fasig-Tipton. She looked nothing like the filly who was so electrifying when going 3-for-3 as a 2-year-old. If she repeats her effort from the Rachel Alexandra in her next start, she can't be considered a serious threat in the Oaks. But if she runs back to her 2-year-old form, she'll likely be the favorite and the horse to beat. She returned to the work tab Mar. 2, breezing four furlongs in :47.60 at the Fair Grounds. She's 15-1 in the Oaks Future Wager. It's way too early to give up on her.

3) PRETTY MISCHIEVOUS (f, Into Mischief–Pretty City Dancer, by Tapit) 'TDN Rising Star' O/B-Godolphin (Ky). T-Brendan P. Walsh. Lifetime Record: GSW, 5-4-0-1, $421,310. Last Start: Won GII Rachel Alexandra S. at Fair Grounds Feb. 18. Kentucky Oaks Points: 63.

Moves up three spots in our poll, but only because there have been so many defections. Off her win in the GII Rachel Alexandra S., Pretty Mischievous belongs near the top of the list. But she's going to have to prove that she can do it again as she posted the upset that day at odds of 8-1. Her lone defeat came in the GII Golden Rod S. last fall at Churchill Downs, where she finished third, 5 1/4 lengths behind Hoosier Philly. She has been ridden by Tyler Gaffalione, who also has the mount on Wonder Wheel, so trainer Brendan Walsh may need a new jockey when she makes her next start in either the Ashland or Mar. 25 GII Fair Grounds Oaks.

4) JULIA SHINING (f, Curlin–Dreaming of Julia, by A.P. Indy) 'TDN Rising Star' O-Stonestreet Stables LLC. B-Stonestreet Thoroughbred Holdings LLC (Ky). T-Todd Pletcher. Lifetime Record: GSW, 3-2-0-1, $204,075. Last Start: 3rd Suncoast S. at Tampa Bay Downs Feb. 11. Kentucky Oaks Points: 16.

With Julia Shining, it's more about what she might be able to do than what she has done. She did win the GII Demoiselle S. last year, but she didn't have a lot of punch when third in the Suncoast S., earning an 81 Beyer figure. That was an 11-point improvement over the figure she got in the Demoiselle. She's by Curlin and is a full-sister to last year's champion older filly Malathaat, all of which suggests she will keep getting better and better. Trainer Todd Pletcher has been going easy on her in the mornings. Her most recent work came Mar. 2 at Palm Beach Downs, where she went a half-mile in :51.68 ahead of an expected next start in the Ashland.

5) AND TELL ME NOLIES (f, Arrogate–Be Fair, by Exchange Rate) O-Peter Redekop B.C., Ltd. B-Lara Run, LLC (Ky). T-Peter Miller. Sales history: $70,000 yrl '21 KEEJAN; $230,000 2yo '22 OBSAPR. Lifetime Record: GISW, 6-3-1-0, $392,800. Last Start: Second in GIII Santa Ysabel S. at Santa Anita Mar. 5. Kentucky Oaks Points: 30.

And Tell Me Nolies returned to the races in the Santa Ysabel after an eighth-place finish in the GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies and ran well enough to crack the Top 5. She was second, beaten 2 1/4 lengths by Faiza, but with Faiza skipping the Oaks an argument can be made that And Tell Me Nolies is the top threat in the race among Southern California-based horses. She proved her class last year with wins in the GI Del Mar Debutante and the GII Chandelier S. for trainer Peter Miller. Like several other top Oaks candidates, she's just not that fast. The 78 Beyer she earned in the Santa Ysabel was the best number of her career. She is expected to make her next start in the Apr. 8 GII Santa Anita Oaks.

6) THE ALYS LOOK (f, Connect–Foul Play, by Harlan's Holiday) O-Ike & Dawn Thrash. B-G. Watts Humphrey (Ky). T-Brad H. Cox. Sales history: $60,000 yrl '21 KEESEP. Lifetime Record: SW, 5-2-1-1, $150,528. Last Start: Won Silverbulletday S. at Fair Grounds Jan. 21. Kentucky Oaks Points: 24.

The Alys Look may be the best of the four or five horses Brad Cox has in the conversation for the Oaks. Purchased for just $60,000 at Keeneland September, she will have had more than two months off when she makes her next expected start in the GII Fair Grounds Oaks Mar. 25. When last seen, she won the Silverbulletday S., presented by Fasig-Tipton Jan. 21 at the Fair Grounds. It's worth noting that in her prior start she was second behind Pretty Mischievous in the Untapable S. She was dismal in her lone start at Churchill, losing a maiden race by 15 3/4 lengths, but the race was in the slop. She breezed five furlongs in 1:00.20 last Saturday at the Fair Grounds.

7) WET PAINT (f, Blame–Sky Painter, by Street Cry {Ire}) O/B-Godolphin (Ky). T-Brad Cox. Lifetime Record: GSW, 5-3-1-0, $334,100. Last Start: Won GIII Honeybee S. at Oaklawn Feb. 25. Kentucky Oaks Points: 70.

Wet Paint is the overall Kentucky Oaks points leader. Another horse from the Cox barn, she's on a roll. After winning the Martha Washington S. at Oaklawn, she looked good winning the GIII Honeybee S. by three lengths Feb. 25 at Oaklawn.

“She improved yesterday,” Cox said after the Honeybee. “Had to pass more fillies and won going away. Very impressive with the gallop out. A mile and an eighth, with her pedigree, is something she should be able to handle. We'll see how it goes.”

Wet Paint has lost on the grass and on the Tapeta surface at Turfway Park, but is 3-for-3 on the dirt. She hasn't been beating world-beaters, but has a nice late kick and being in the Cox barn is an obvious plus. She is expected to start next in the Ashland.

8) SHIDABHUTI (f, Practical Joke–A. P. Candy, by Candy Ride {Arg}) O-Peter Brant. B-Gabriel Duignan & Gerry Dilger (Ky). T-Chad Brown. Sales history: $77,000 wnlg '20 KEENOV; $310,000 yrl '21 KEESEP. Lifetime Record: SW, 3-3-0-0, $189,600. Last Start: Won Busher S. at Aqueduct Mar. 4. Kentucky Oaks Points: 50.

Shidabhuti is an interesting newcomer to the list from the Chad Brown barn. She broke her maiden at Monmouth in September and then came back to win an allowance race in December at Aqueduct. The knock on her coming into the Mar. 4 Busher Invitational S. at Aqueduct was her numbers. She had run a pair of 62 Beyers in her first two starts, way too slow to win a race like the Oaks. But she passed the test in the Busher, staying undefeated after beating stablemate and race favorite Asset Purchase (Dialed In). Brown and owner Peter Brant are best known for their turf horses, but in Shidabhuti they may have a dirt runner to be reckoned with. She is expected to make her next start in the Apr. 7 GIII Gazelle S.

9) DREAMING OF SNOW (f, Jess's Dream–Snow Fashion, by Old Fashioned) O-Team Equistaff, LLC & Winning Stables, Inc. B-Karyn Philipp (FL). T-Gerald Bennett. Sales history: $35,000 yrl '21 OBSOCT; $60,000 2yo '22 OBSMAR. Lifetime Record: SW, 5-3-0-0, $170,850. Last Start: Won Suncoast S. at Tampa Bay Feb. 11. Kentucky Oaks Points: 20.

The key race this year so far on the road to the Oaks? You can make a case that it was the Jan. 14 Gasparilla S. at Tampa Bay Downs. Dreaming of Snow finished fourth in that spot and came back to win the Suncoast over Wonder Wheel at 38-1. Dorth Vader finished sixth in the Gasparilla and came back to win the Davona Dale at 46-1.

Dreaming of Snow's win in the Suncoast was a shocker, pulled off by trainer Gerald Bennett, mainly known as a claiming trainer. Was it a fluke or is she for real? We'll find out in her next start, which is expected to be in the Apr. 1 GIII Fantasy S.

10) BOTANICAL (f, Medaglia d'Oro–Daisy, by Blame) O-LNJ Foxwoods & Clearsky Farms. B-Clearsky Farms & Godolphin (Ky). T-Brad Cox. Sales history: $220,000 yrl '21 KEESEP. Lifetime Record: SW, 5-3-1-0, $196,610. Last Start: Won Cincinnati Trophy S. at Turfway Mar. 4. Kentucky Oaks Points: 20.

Botanical is a tough read. She's won three straight, including a blowout 6 1/2-length win in the Cincinnati Trophy S. at Turfway. The problem is that she has never run on the dirt, having had three races on the synthetic and two more on the turf. Can she transfer that form to the dirt? It's anybody's guess. Cox reports that she will stay on the synthetic for her next start when she goes in Turfway's Mar. 25 Bourbonette Oaks, but said he does consider her a Kentucky Oaks prospect.

The post Kentucky Oaks Top 10: Strange Year Continues 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 Apr. 8

After the busiest weekend of the year for 3-year-old fillies eyeing the GI Kentucky Oaks, the field is pretty much set for the race. There were four preps over the weekend, which was a problem. There are not enough top horses to go around to fill that many races, so the fields were six, six, six and four. It looks like the Oaks will be highly competitive. There is no one standout. Instead, you will have a number of horses in with a chance and a favorite who should be in the 3-1, 7-2 range.

1) TRAVEL COLUMN (Frosted–Swingit, by Victory Gallop)
'TDN Rising Star' O-OXO Equine. B-Mr. & Mrs. Bayne Welker, Jr. & Denali Stud (KY). T-Brad Cox. Sales History: $850,000 ylg '19 FTSAUG. Lifetime Record: MGSW & GISP, 5-3-1-1, $517,184.
Last Start: 1st GII Twinspires.com Fair Grounds Oaks, FG, Mar. 20
Accomplishments Include: 1st GII Golden Rod S., CD, Nov. 28; 2nd GII Rachel Alexandra S. presented by Fasig-Tipton, FG, Feb. 13;
3rd GI Darley Alcibiades S., KEE, Oct. 2
Equineline PPs. KY Oaks Points: 132
A Frosted filly who sold for $850,000 at the 2019 Fasig-Tipton Saratoga yearling sale, she is the likely favorite for the Kentucky Oaks for trainer Brad Cox. Cox also has the likely favorite for the GI Kentucky Derby in Essential Quality (by Frosted's sire Tapit). Travel Column established herself as one of the best in her division last year when winning the GII Golden Rod S. and, after a defeat in the Rachel Alexandra S., she pulled clear of rival Clairiere (Curlin) to score a decisive win in the GII Fair Grounds Oaks. That race is certainly in the conversation when it comes to best performance this year by a 3-year-old filly.

2) MALATHAAT (Curlin–Dreaming of Julia, by A.P. Indy)
'TDN Rising Star' O-Shadwell Stable. B-Stonestreet Thoroughbred Holdings (KY). T-Todd Pletcher. Sales History: $1,050,000 ylg '19 KEESEP. Lifetime Record: GISW, 4-4-0-0, $412,150.
Last Start: 1st GI Central Bank Ashland S., KEE, Apr. 3
Accomplishments Include: 1st Tempted S., AQU, Nov. 6
Equineline PPs. KY Oaks Points: 110
If Travel Column isn't the Oaks favorite, Malathaat will be. She had a few bumps in the road, which kept her sidelined until she made her reappearance in the GI Ashland S. at Keeneland. It was worth the wait. She appeared beaten at the head of the stretch as Pass the Champagne (Flatter) opened up by four lengths on the field, but Malathaat was able to run her down to win by a neck. For obvious reasons, trainer Todd Pletcher is very high on her. “She's a really special filly,” he said. “She's been great since day one. She was a spectacular yearling which is why she cost what she did ($1.05 million). She's a joy to train and she is so professional.” Will come into the Oaks having had one prep, perhaps not the ideal way to prepare for this race.

3) SEARCH RESULTS (Flatter–Co Cola, by Candy Ride {Arg})
O-Klaravich Stables Inc. B-Machmer Hall (KY). T-Chad Brown. Sales History: $310,000 ylg '19 KEESEP. Lifetime Record: GSW,
3-3-0-0, $299,000.
Last Start: 1st GIII Gazelle S., AQU, Apr. 3
Accomplishments Include: 1st Busher Invitational S., AQU, Mar. 6
Equineline PPs. KY Oaks Points: 150
Is a lot like Malathaat in that she is undefeated and lightly raced. Cemented her spot as one of the Oaks favorites with a 2 3/4-length win in the GIII Gazelle S. at Aqueduct. Her time for the mile-and-an-eighth was slow (1:54.14), but was actually faster than males ran in the GII Wood Memorial, which went in 1:54.49. Everything about her suggests that trainer Chad Brown will have her ready for an improved effort in the Oaks. She's improved with every start and her best race to date came in the Gazelle in her first start around two turns. Will be ridden by Irad Ortiz, Jr., among the hottest jockeys on the planet.

4) CLAIRIERE (Curlin–Cavorting, by Bernardini)
O/B-Stonestreet Stables (KY). T-Steve Asmussen. Lifetime Record: GSW, 4-2-2-0, $350,492.
Last Start: 2nd GII Twinspires.com Fair Grounds Oaks, FG, Mar. 20
Accomplishments Include: 1st GII Rachel Alexandra S. presented by Fasig-Tipton, FG, Feb. 13; 2nd GII Golden Rod S., CD, Nov. 28
Equineline PPs. KY Oaks Points: 94
With the big wins over the weekend from Malathaat and Search Results, she drops down two spots in our rankings. The main thing she has going for her is that she's almost as good as Travel Column. She has faced that filly three times and shows a win in the Rachel Alexandra and two second-place finishes. The main thing she has going against her is her running style. She has no early speed, which will make her vulnerable if there is not a fast early pace in the Oaks. Trainer Steve Asmussen will be shooting for his third career win in the Oaks.

5) PASS THE CHAMPAGNE (Flatter–Champagne Taste, by Distorted Humor)
O-R. A. Hill Stable, Black Type Thoroughbreds, Rock Ridge Racing LLC, BlackRidge Stables LLC & James Brown. B-Preston Madden (KY). T-George Weaver. Lifetime Record: GISP, 3-1-2-0, $115,170.
Last Start: 2nd GI Central Bank Ashland S., KEE, Apr. 3
Equineline PPs. KY Oaks Points: 40
An interesting new face on the trail to the Kentucky Oaks, she makes her debut in our top 10 off a big effort in the Ashland. Making her first start beyond seven furlongs and around two turns, the private purchase nearly pulled off what would have been a mild upset, but couldn't hold off Malathaat in the final yards. Has never run a bad race. Will likely need to improve further to win Oaks, but that is very much a possibility for the underrated George Weaver.

6) PAULINE'S PEARL (Tapit–Hot Dixie Chick, by Dixie Union)
O/B-Stonestreet Stables (KY). T-Steve Asmussen. Lifetime Record: GSW, 5-2-1-1, $461,500.
Last Start: 1st GIII Fantasy S., OP, Apr. 3
Accomplishments Include: 2nd GIII Honeybee S., OP, Mar. 6
Next Start: GI Kentucky Oaks, CD, Apr. 30
Equineline PPs. KY Oaks Points: 120
The second part of a potent double from the team of Asmussen and Stonestreet Stables, she's been doing everything right of late. Dismissed at 18-1, Clairiere's stablemate was a sharp second in the GIII Honeybee S. before winning the GIII Fantasy S. at Oaklawn as the 4-5 favorite. Surprisingly, the Fantasy did not come up very strong this year, so she might have just have been taking advantage of weak competition. Unlike a lot of Asmussen horses, she was not particularly precocious–especially considering her dam was a GIII Schuylerville S. and
GI Spinaway S. winner. Unlike Clairiere, she has enough tactical speed to suggest that she will get a good trip in the Oaks.

7) CRAZY BEAUTIFUL (Liam's Map–Indian Burn, by Indian Charlie)
'TDN Rising Star' O-Phoenix Thoroughbred III. B-Carolyn R. Vogel (KY). T-Ken McPeek. Sales History: $250,000 Ylg '19 FTKOCT. Lifetime Record: GSW & GISP, 7-3-3-0, $388,365.
Last Start: 1st GII Gulfstream Park Oaks, GP, Mar. 27
Accomplishments Include: 1st Ellis Debutante S., ELP, Aug. 9; 2nd GI Darley Alcibiades S., KEE, Oct. 2; 2nd GII Davona Dale S., GP, Feb. 27; 2nd GIII Pocahontas S., CD, Sept. 3
Next Start: GI Kentucky Oaks, CD, Apr. 30
Equineline PPs. KY Oaks Points: 128
A $250,000 purchase at the 2019 Fasig-Tipton October yearling sale, she has emerged as the top threat out of the Kenny McPeek barn. She didn't beat a stellar group in the GII Gulfstream Park Oaks, but did it the right way. Sitting last early behind a moderate pace, the grey made a sharp move on the far turn before surging past the leaders inside the eighth-pole. McPeek, the trainer of Swiss Skydiver (Daredevil), has had a lot of success of late with 3-year-old fillies, but will be looking for his first Oaks win. He's shown that he can find a good one in the sales without spending a mint.

8) SOOTHSAY (Distorted Humor–Spellbound, by Bernardini)
O-Claiborne Farm, Perry R. Bass II, Ramona S. Bass & Adele B. Dilschneider. B-Raydelz Stable (KY). T-Richard E. Mandella. Lifetime Record: GSW, 2-2-0-0, $276,600.
Last Start: 1st GII Santa Anita Oaks, SA, Apr. 3
Next Start: GI Kentucky Oaks, CD, Apr. 30
Equineline PPs. KY Oaks Points: 100
When Moonlight d'Oro (Medaglia d'Oro) went to the sidelines shortly after winning the GIII Las Virgenes S., it appeared that Hall of Fame trainer Richard Mandella had lost all chance to win the Kentucky Oaks. But he's back in the running, thanks to Soothsay. Making just her second lifetime start and coming off a maiden race, she jumped up with a half-length win in the GII Santa Anita Oaks. She'll be one of many in the Kentucky Oaks with little experience, but there's no doubt that she has some talent. “We expected a lot of her from the first start and from that start until now, she just grew up,” said Mandella. “You kind of see it happening. Otherwise, we wouldn't do something like this.”

9) BEAUTIFUL GIFT (Medaglia d'Oro–Sea Gift, by A.P. Indy)
O/B-Baoma Corporation (KY). T-Bob Baffert. Lifetime Record: GSW, 3-2-0-1, $99,600.
Last Start: 1st GII Santa Anita Oaks, SA, Apr. 3
Accomplishments Include: 1st GIII Santa Ysabel S., SA, Mar. 7
Equineline PPs. KY Oaks Points: 90
While Bob Baffert is always tough in Grade I races, he's probably not going to win this year's Kentucky Oaks. But his best shot comes in the form of this daughter of Medaglia d'Oro. She scored a gritty victory in the GII Santa Ysabel S. before coming back to finish second behind Soothsay in the Santa Anita Oaks. Everything about her says that she is a good filly, but maybe not good enough to beat the very best of her division. John Velazquez, who is getting more and more business from Baffert, has the mount.

10) ADVENTURING (Pioneerof the Nile–Questing {GB}, by Hard Spun)
O/B-Godolphin (KY). T-Brad Cox. Lifetime Record: SW, 4-2-1-1, $131,370.
Last Start: 1st Bourbonette Oaks, TP, Mar. 27
Equineline PPs. KY Oaks Points: 50
Can she run her best race on the dirt? That's the question Adventuring will have to answer after winning the Bourbonette Oaks over the Tapeta surface at Turfway Park. She did break her maiden on the dirt and is 1-for-3 on that surface. Like Essential Quality, she is owned by Godolphin and trained by Cox. With Florent Geroux committed to Travel Column, will need a new jockey for the Oaks. Will be a lonsgshot in the Oaks, but not a hopeless one.

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