Oaks Top 10 | Horse Racing Free Tips

TDN Kentucky Oaks Top 10 for Mar. 10

It was a big weekend for the 3-year-old fillies with prep races for the GI Longines Kentucky Oaks held at Aqueduct, Santa Anita, Gulfstream and Turfway. Secret Oath (Arrogate) remains on top for Wayne Lukas, but it was tempting to move Kathleen O. (Upstart) to the top spot after another impressive win, this time in the GII Davona Dale S. In California, the Bob Baffert-trained Eda (Munnings) won the GIII Santa Ysabel S., but until the Baffert horses are nominated to the Oaks they won't be included in our rankings. That also includes GIII Las Virgenes S. winner Adare Manor (Uncle Mo).

It will be a quiet couple of weeks for the nation's top 3-year-old fillies as the next race that includes Kentucky Oaks points will be the Mar. 26 GII Fair Grounds Oaks.

The Kentucky Oaks Future Wager will be available starting Friday and closes Sunday at 6:30 p.m. Echo Zulu (Gun Runner) is the 4-1 morning line favorite, followed by Secret Oath at 6-1 and Kathleen O. at 8-1.

1) SECRET OATH (Arrogate–Absinthe Minded, by Quiet American) O-Briland Farm; B-Briland Farm, Robert & Stacy Mitchell (KY); T-D. Wayne Lukas. Lifetime Record: GSW, 5-3-0-1, $285,167. Last Start: 1st GIII Honeybee S. Next Start: GIII Fantasy S., OP, Apr. 2. KY Oaks Points: 60.

Trainer Wayne Lukas continues to say that the GIII Fantasy S. will likely be next for Secret Oath, but he has not completely ruled out a start against males in the GI Arkansas Derby. With most other trainers, there would be no debate and the Fantasy would be the clear choice, but Lukas has a history of running fillies vs. colts and is one of only three trainers to win the GI Kentucky Derby with a filly, which he did in 1988 with Winning Colors. The Arkansas Derby makes perfect sense for Secret Oath. For one, unless Bob Baffert ships in something from his first string, she will be the favorite. And if she doesn't run in the Arkansas Derby, she can't run in the Kentucky Derby. She won't have any points. There's also the matter of the purse, $600,000 for the Fantasy vs. $1.25 million for the Arkansas Derby. C'mon, Wayne–this might be your last chance to win a Kentucky Derby. Go for it.

2) 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: GSW, 3-3-0-0, $226,280. Last Start: 1st GII Davona Dale S. Next Start: GII Gulfstream Park Oaks, GP, Apr. 2. KY Oaks Points: 50.

After Kathleen O. had recorded impressive wins in a maiden race and the Cash Run S., she was asked to step up over the weekend and prove that she was good enough to handle graded stakes company. That was the storyline when she faced six others in the Davona Dale on Saturday at Gulfstream and the end result was another visually impressive win. It takes her a while to get going, but once she does she displays a tremendous turn of foot. Once again, she made it look easy, powering past her competition in the stretch. The only knock on her is that she never gets a particularly good Beyer figure. After earning a 67 and then a 78 in her first two starts, she was given an 85 Beyer for the Davona Dale. She will try two turns for first time in the Apr. 2 Gulfstream Park Oaks, but that shouldn't be a problem. If anything, she should be better around two turns than one. An exciting prospect.

3) 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 was not in action last weekend, but her win in the GII Demoiselle S. has never looked better. The runner-up, Venti Valentine (Firing Line), came back and won the Busher Invitational at Aqueduct. The race also produced next-out winner Magic Circle (Kantharos), who took the Busanda S. In her second start after finishing fourth in the Demoiselle; and Nostalgic (Medaglia d'Oro) picked up a win on Sunday at Gulftream in an allowance. After his filly won the Demoiselle, trainer Todd Pletcher picked out a soft spot for her, the Suncoast S. at Tampa Bay Downs, which she won by six lengths. It will get tougher next time as she is scheduled to try Grade I company for the first time when she goes in the Ashland at Keeneland.

4) 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: GII Fair Grounds Oaks, FG, Mar. 26. KY Oaks Points: 30.

Echo Zulu, last year's champion 2-year-old filly, has yet to race this year and her connections have said there is no guarantee that she will make the Oaks. But she continues to make progress in the mornings and has now had five workouts this year, the last three at five furlongs. That may be enough for her to start in the Fair Grounds Oaks later this month. If she does, there shouldn't be any problem making the Kentucky Oaks. Should she win the Fair Grounds race she would reassume her spot as the best 3-year-old filly in training. Don't forget how dominant she was last year and in the GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies.

5) 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: Next Start: GI Central Bank Ashland S., KEE, Apr. 8. KY Oaks Points: 0.

It's official. They're going for it. Trainer Wesley Ward has confirmed that Happy Soul will go next in the Ashland, a major prep for the Kentucky Oaks. The other option was the GIII Beaumont S., a seven-furlong sprint. The Ashland will be quite the test for Happy Soul, who will attempt to stretch out from six furlongs to 1 1/16 miles. She's won three times, most recently in the Dixie Belle S. at Oaklawn, and when it comes to sheer speed there may not be a faster filly in the country. It will all come down to whether or not she can carry that speed a distance. That Ward is willing to try it tells you how much confidence he has in this filly.

Venti Valentine | Sarah Andrew

6) VENTI VALENTINE (Firing Line–Glory Gold, by Medaglia d'Oro) O-NY Final Furlong Racing Stable & Parkland Thoroughbreds; B-Final Furlong Racing Stable & Maspeth Stable (NY); T-Jorge Abreu. Lifetime Record: MSW & GSP, 4-3-1-0, $366,250. Last Start: 1st Busher Invitational S. Next Start: GIII Gazelle S., AQU, Apr. 9. KY Oaks Points: 54.

New to the rankings, Venti Valentine made her way on to the list with a seven-length win in the Busher for trainer Jorge Abreu. There were only five horses in the race, but it was far from an easy spot. The field included last-out stakes winners Shotgun Hottie (Gun Runner) and Magic Circle, as well as the Shug McGaughey-trained Radio Days (Gun Runner), who was the 1-2 favorite. Venti Valentine was dismissed at 5-1, but there was nothing fluky about her win. The New York-bred backed up her performance from last year when she was a close second behind Nest in the Demoiselle. Trainer Jorge Abreu is looking for his first graded stakes win. He won the 2019 Busher with Venti Valentine's half-sister, Espresso Shot (Mission Impazible), who did not make it to the Oaks.

7) 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.

She returned to the work tab last week when breezing four furlongs in :49.00 at the Fair Grounds, where she is under the care of trainer Brad Cox. It was her first work since a surprise win in the GII Rachel Alexandra S. Presented by Fasig-Tipton. It looked like her career was going to be on the grass, but Cox took a shot in the Rachel Alexandra and it paid off. She has turned out to be quite a bargain. She RNA'd for $32,000 at Keeneland November before selling for $50,000 at Keeneland September. Cox is searching for his third Oaks win since he took the race for the first time in 2018 with Monomoy Girl (Tapizar). We'll know more about this filly when she makes her next start, which Cox said will either be in the Ashland or the Fair Grounds Oaks.

8) SHAHAMA (Munnings–Private Feeling, by Belong to Me) 'TDN Rising Star' O-KHK Racing; B-SF Bloodstock LLC (KY); T-Todd Pletcher. Sales History: $425,000 2yo '21 OBSAPR. Lifetime Record: GSW-UAE, $223,670. Last Start: 1st G3 UAE Oaks. Next Start: TBA. KY Oaks Points: 50.

How do the races in Dubai stack up against the major preps in the U.S. for the Kentucky Oaks? We are about to find out. A $425,000 purchase at OBS April, this filly looked unbeatable while running for KHK Racing and trainer Fawzi Nass in Dubai. After she overcame a slow start to take the GIII UAE Oaks her connections decided to send her to Todd Pletcher, with an eye on running in the Kentucky Oaks.

“We're excited about getting her in,” Pletcher said. “I believe the plan will be to come to Florida and prepare for the Oaks. I think we would just train up to the Oaks, but we need to see how she is and how quickly she acclimates before making any firm decisions.”

The original plan was to face males in the GII UAE Derby. In the Pletcher barn, she couldn't be in better hands. It will be interesting to see how she stacks up against the U.S.-based fillies.

9) CLASSY EDITION (Classic Empire–Newbie, by Bernardini) 'TDN Rising Star' O-Robert E & Lawana L Low; B-Chester & Mary R. Broman (KY); T-Todd Pletcher. Sales history: $550,000 2yo '21 FTMMAY. Lifetime Record: MSW & GSP, 4-3-1-0, $223,450. Last Start: 2nd GII Davona Dale S. Next Start: TBA. KY Oaks Points: 20.

Bought for $550,000 at the Fasig-Tipton Midlantic 2-year-old sale, this 'TDN Rising Star' makes it on to the list after finishing second behind Kathleen O. in the one-mile Davona Dale. Though she was soundly beaten, the New York-bred proved she belongs in open, graded company after going 3-for-3 last year versus state breds. It was also her first start beyond seven furlongs. “I've always felt that ultimately she's a filly that wanted two turns, so hopefully this brings her in that direction,” Pletcher said prior to the Davona Dale.

It looks like she'll have to improve a few lengths to be able to beat the very best of her division, but there's no reason why that can't happen.

10) NOSTALGIC (Medaglia d'Oro–Been Here Before, by Tapit) O/B-Godolphin (KY); T-Bill Mott. Lifetime Record: 4-2-0-0, $97,900. Last Start: 1st Gulfstream Allowance/Optional Claimer. Next Start: GIII Gazelle S., AQU, Apr. 9. KY Oaks Points: 1.

After she began her 3-year-old campaign with a ninth-place showing in the Sweetest Chant S. on the grass, it didn't look at all like this filly was a candidate for the Kentucky Oaks. But that all changed with a Mar. 3 allowance race at Gulfstream. Trainer Bill Mott put her back on the dirt and was rewarded with an impressive 6 3/4-length win in the 8 1/2-furlong contest. It was her second win from four career starts and her first since she broke her maiden on debut in October at Belmont. Just an allowance winner this year, she has some catching up to do, but she's well-bred and in the barn of a Hall of Famer. Don't count her out.

Nostalgic | Ryan Thompson

The post TDN Kentucky Oaks Top 10 for Mar. 10 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 Mar. 3

What to do with the Bob Baffert-trained horses? Up until now, we have been including them in the TDN Kentucky Oaks rankings, believing that they'd find a way into the race. Either their owners would move them to another trainer or Baffert would find a way through the courts that would allow them to enter. But when the story broke last week that Baffert had not nominated a single horse to the GI Kentucky Oaks we decided to drop them from the rankings and won't include them again until there is more concrete news on their status for the Oaks.

The big story last week was, of course, the win by Secret Oath in the GIII Honeybee S. at Oaklawn. It will be a busy weekend for the 3-year-old fillies as Gulfstream offers the GII Davona Dale S. on Saturday and Santa Anita's Sunday card includes the GIII Santa Ysabel S. The weekend's racing action also features the Busher Invitational S. at Aqueduct.

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

You can question who she beat, but not the way she did it. The Wayne Lukas/Secret Oath story rolls on. Winning her second consecutive stakes and her first graded stakes, she beat up on her competition in the Honeybee, moving her 86-year-old trainer one step closer to a possible win in the Kentucky Oaks. After showing little in her first three starts, she's turned into a monster at Oaklawn, taking her three starts there by a combined 23 lengths.

In the Honeybee, which she won by 7 1/2 lengths, she covered the 1 1/16 miles in 1:44.74. Later on in the card, the GII Rebel S. for 3-year-old males went in 1:45.69. Lukas won the GI Arkansas Derby in 1984 with the filly Althea but, so far, is saying that it's likely Secret Oath will stay with the fillies. That decision was made easier when the Lukas-trained Ethereal Road (Quality Road) emerged as a Derby contender with a second-place finish in the Rebel.

Thirty-two years after he last won the Oaks, with Seaside Attraction in 1990, Lukas could return to the winner's circle in what would be among the more remarkable stories in the sport in some time. Or might he be tempted to point her for the Kentucky Derby, a race he won with a filly in Winning Colors in 1988? It should be interesting.

Secret Oath is also carrying the banner for her sire, Arrogate, who died in 2020 and will have a limited amount of offspring make it to the races. Secret Oath is his first graded stakes winner in North America.

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.

Speaking of Lukas, his protégé Todd Pletcher could stand in the way of his winning the Kentucky Oaks. Pletcher has a number of potential Oaks candidates, but the best of the bunch is Nest.

Like Secret Oath, Nest didn't beat much in her last start, the Suncoast S. at Tampa Bay Downs, but she did it with authority, romping by six lengths. Coming off a layoff after winning the Dec. 4 GII Demoiselle S. at Aqueduct, Nest got exactly the type of prep that should move her forward on the road to the GI Ashland S. and the Kentucky Oaks. Pletcher will be after his fifth Oaks victory, which would tie him with Woody Stephens for most wins in the race by a trainer. Nest is a full sister to 2021 GI Santa Anita H. winner Idol (Curlin), who is working toward his 2022 debut at San Luis Rey Downs.

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.

She has won only a maiden race and a non-graded stakes, so Kathleen O. has plenty to prove. And she'll get the chance Saturday in the GII Davona Dale S. She's 9-2 on the morning line, which is probably a reflection of her speed figures more so than how impressive she's been visually. With a best Beyer number of 78, she's not that fast. But her last race, a win in the Cash Run S., is better than it looks on paper. She hesitated at the start and then had some traffic problems, but still won by 8 1/2 lengths. Hall of Fame trainer Shug McGaughey always takes his time with young horses, so this one should only get better. The Davona Dale will certainly be a major test for this filly.

She's getting there. Last year's 2-year-old filly champ had her fourth workout this year when breezing five furlongs in 1:01.80 on Monday at the Fair Grounds for trainer Steve Asmussen. “Looks good,” Asmussen wrote in a text. The Hall of Fame trainer has yet to announce where Echo Zulu will run next, but the GII Fair Grounds Oaks on March 26 seems like a logical spot. If that's the case, she will probably have only one prep for the Oaks. That may not be ideal, but Asmussen obviously knows what he's doing and his filly, after going undefeated at two, probably doesn't need to do a lot to get ready. Because she's been idle, she's flown under the radar this year, but let's not forget how dominant she was last season.

This is the wild card in the race toward the Kentucky Oaks. The daughter of Runhappy is as fast as they get. She broke her maiden by 11 3/4 lengths and then won the Astoria S. by 11 1/2 lengths. Coming off a layoff of eight-plus months, she made her 3-year-old debut against a tough group of opponents in the Feb. 19 Dixie Belle at Oaklawn, which she won by three lengths. The problem is she's never run beyond six furlongs. She's trained by Wesley Ward, who does his best work with sprinters, so it came as somewhat of a surprise when he said the Oaks is a possibility. Either the Ashland or the GIII Beaumont S. will be next. She's good enough to win a Grade I, but can she win a Grade I at nine furlongs?

6) GIRL WITH A DREAM (Practical Joke–Henley, by Corinthian) O-Jim Bakke & Gerald Isbister; B-Machmer Hall & D + J Racing Stable LLC; T-Brad Cox. Sales History: $115,000 ylg '20 KEESEP. Lifetime Record: GSW, 6-4-1-0, $231,480. Last Start: 1st GIII Forward Gal S. Next Start: GII Davona Dale S., GP, Mar. 5. KY Oaks Points: 10.

This Saturday's Davona Dale should determine whether or not Girl With a Dream belongs in the Oaks. Trained by Brad Cox, she has won three straight, including the GIII Forward Gal S. in her most recent start. But like Happy Soul, she's been sprinting and has never gone beyond seven furlongs. It looks like Cox is using the one-mile Davona Dale as a test to see if she can handle longer races. She is the 3-1 morning line favorite, is the clear speed in the race and figures to open up to an easy lead with Luis Saez aboard.

Another Cox trainee, it's hard to know what to make of her. Going into the GII Rachel Alexandra S. Presented by Fasig-Tipton, she looked like she had the makings of a good grass horse. The winner of the Juvenile Fillies S. at Kentucky Downs and the third-place finisher in the GII Jessamine S., she made her dirt debut in the Rachel Alexandra and was dismissed at 17-1–huge odds for a Cox horse. With Florent Geroux aboard, she came through and won by a half-length and is obviously a contender for the Kentucky Oaks. But the Rachel Alexandra was a strange race. The 2-1 favorite, Hidden Connection (Connect), was a non-threatening fourth; and third choice La Crete (Medaglia d'Oro) was pulled up with a career-ending injury. We'll know more about this filly when she makes her next start, which Cox said will either be in the GI Ashland or the GII Fair Grounds Oaks.

8) 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 ylg '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 Invitational S., AQU, Mar. 5. KY Oaks Points: 13.

Unraced since a Jan. 23 win in the Busanda S., Magic Circle will look to return to the winner's circle Saturday at Aqueduct in the Busher Invitational. Normally stakes races in the winter at Aqueduct don't come up that tough, but the Busher is not an easy spot. The field will include the Shug McGaughey-trained Radio Days (Gun Runner), who was second in the Forward Gal; and Ruthless S. winner Shotgun Hottie (Gun Runner). The winner of this race will be legit. For Magic Circle, after winning the Busher at nine furlongs, she will be turning back to a one-turn mile. Magic Circle is a steady, blue-collar type, and a good fit for the winter at the Big A. It remains to be seen if she can step up and win against tougher.

Ain't Easy | Benoit Photo

9) AIN'T EASY (Into Mischief–Ameristralia {Aus}, by Fastnet Rock {Aus}) 'TDN Rising Star' O-Old Bones Racing Stable LLC, Michael V. Lombardi & Joey Platts; B-Spendthrift Farm LLC (KY); T-Phil D'Amato. Sales History: $400,000 ylg '20 KEESEP. Lifetime Record: GSW, 2-2-0-0. Last Start: 1st GII Chandelier S. Next Start: GIII Santa Ysabel, SA, Mar. 6. KY Oaks Points: 10.

Remember this one? After winning the GII Chandelier S. last fall at Santa Anita by 4 3/4 lengths, she was ready to take on all challengers in the GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile until it was discovered that she had a small chip in her left front ankle. She's been working her way back with a series of breezes at Santa Anita and is set to make her 3-year-old debut Sunday in the Santa Ysabel. Coming off a six-furlong gate work in 1:14,60, it looks like trainer Phil D'Amato has her ready to go. A $400,000 yearling buy by Into Mischief, she could be the real deal.

10) SHAHAMA (Munnings–Private Feeling, by Belong to Me) 'TDN Rising Star' O-KHK Racing; B-SF Bloodstock LLC (KY); T-Fawzi Abdulla Nass/Todd Pletcher. Sales History: $425,000 2yo '21 OBSAPR. Lifetime Record: GSW-UAE, $223,670. Last Start: 1st G3 UAE Oaks. Next Start: TBA. KY Oaks Points: 50.

The news broke Saturday that 'TDN Rising Star' Shahama (Munnings) was being transferred to the Todd Pletcher barn with an eye on making the Kentucky Oaks. A half-sister to two-time Eclipse Award winner Lookin At Lucky (Smart Strike) and to MGSW Kensei (Mr. Greeley), she is 4-for-4 with her most recent win coming in the GIII UAE Oaks at Meydan on Feb. 18. She's never run anywhere but Dubai, so it's hard to tell how her form will transfer to U.S. racing, but she has been impressive in her wins. An interesting new face on the trail to the Kentucky Oaks.

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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?

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.

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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