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TDN Kentucky Oaks Top 10 for March 11

It was an eventful weekend on the road to the GI Kentucky Oaks, with major preps at Aqueduct (Busher Invitational S.), Oaklawn (GIII Honeybee S.) and at Santa Anita (GIII Santa Ysabel S.). The winners of all three of those races have made their way into our Oaks Top 10. Kalypso (Brody's Cause), who was third in the Santa Ysabel, drops out as trainer Bob Baffert has said he won't point her to the Oaks.

There's nothing on tap for the 3-year-old fillies this weekend but there will be a huge race Mar. 20 as the top two on our list, Clairiere (Curlin) and Travel Column (Frosted), are set to meet in the GII Fair Grounds Oaks.

Hall of Fame trainer Steve Asmussen has had a lot of success in the Kentucky Oaks, winning it in 2005 with Summerly (Summer Squall) and in 2014 with Untapable (Tapit). Both fillies won the GII Fair Grounds Oaks on their way to the winner's circle at Churchill Downs and now Asmussen takes the same path with the talented daughter of Curlin. Since 2005, five winners of the Fair Grounds Oaks have gone on to win the Kentucky Oaks, including Rachel Alexandra (Medaglia d'Oro). Received a ton of support in the Kentucky Oaks Future Wager, where she is the 7-2 favorite. Still must contend with rival Travel Column, who beat her in the Golden Rod S. and lost by just a neck in the GII Rachel Alexandra S.

2) 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: GSW & GISP,
4-2-1-1, $269,184.
Last Start: 2nd GII Rachel Alexandra S. presented by Fasig-Tipton, FG, Feb. 13
Accomplishments Include: 1st GII Golden Rod S., CD, Nov. 28, 3rd GI Darley Alcibiades S., KEE, Oct. 2
Next Start: GII Fair Grounds Oaks, FG, Mar. 20
Equineline PPs. KY Oaks Points: 32

A classy filly from the Brad Cox barn, Travel Column worked a sharp five furlongs Saturday, posting a bullet :59.20 workout. An $850,000 purchase at the Fasig-Tipton Saratoga yearling sale, she could be the Oaks favorite. All she has to do to achieve that is defeat our No. 1 horse, Clairiere, in the Fair Grounds Oaks. The two are very evenly matched. She broke her maiden at Churchill in September, so the track surface will not be an issue come Oaks day.

3) WILL'S SECRET (Will Take Charge–Girls Secret, by Giant's Causeway)
O/B-Willis Horton Racing (KY). T-Dallas Stewart. Lifetime Record: GSW, 6-3-0-2, $343,300.
Last Start: 1st GIII Honeybee S., OP, Mar. 6
Accomplishments Include: 1st Martha Washington S., OP, Jan. 30
Next Start: Uncommitted
Equineline PPs. KY Oaks Points: 60

A newcomer to the top 10, Will's Secret jumps all the way up into the third spot off of a win in the Honeybee. Winning for the third straight time, she enjoyed a perfect ride from Jon Court, who got her to the lead and then slowed the pace down to a walk. They went the half mile in 49.70. Filly has faced Clairiere once, finishing third behind her in an October maiden race at Churchill Downs. Court, at age 60, will be looking to win the Oaks for the first time. Trainer Dallas Stewart won the Oaks in 2006 with Lemons Forever (Lemon Drop Kid).

4) ZAAJEL (Street Sense–Asiya, by Daaher)
O/B-Shadwell Stable (KY). T-Todd Pletcher. Lifetime Record: GSW, 2-2-0-0, $84,140.
Last Start: 1st GIII Forward Gal S., GP, Jan. 31
Next Start: Possible for GII Fair Grounds Oaks, FG, Mar. 20
Equineline PPs. KY Oaks Points: 10

Has a lot of upside but also has a lot to prove. The Shadwell Stable homebred was explosive in her debut, winning by 7 1/4 lengths and came right back to win the GIII Forward Gal S. at seven furlongs. It's worth noting that her dam (Asiya) never won beyond seven furlongs. Trainer Todd Pletcher said she may go next in the Fair Grounds Oaks, which is setting up to be a bear of a race. Closed at 28-1 in the Oaks Future Wager.

Missed her planned start in the GII Davona Dale S. after she had a minor problem and missed some training time. It looks like she will come back in the GII Gulfstream Park Oaks, where she will have to play catch-up. Whatever was bugging her is in the past as she has had two workouts since Feb. 28. The latest was a five furlong breeze on Saturday. Still, might not be the best way to go into the Kentucky Oaks, off just one prep. Like Zaajel, is owned by Shadwell Stable. Cost $1.05 million at Keeneland September. Her dam won the Gulfstream Oaks by an incredible 21 3/4 lengths before finishing fourth as the favorite in the 2013 Kentucky Oaks.

A little late to get going, but trainer Kenny McPeek appears to have her ready after working four times at Gulfstream Park. Her scheduled start in the Mar. 27 Gulfstream Park Oaks comes after she finished fourth as the odds-on favorite in the GII Golden Rod S. in November. Like Malathaat, she will have only one prep for the Kentucky Oaks, which might not be the best way to go into the race.

7) VEQUIST (Nyquist–Vero Amore, by Mineshaft)
O-Gary Barber, Wachtel Stable & Swilcan Stable. B-Swilcan Stables (KY). T-Robert E. Reid, Jr. Sales History: $120,000 RNA ylg '19 KEESEP. Lifetime Record: Ch. 2yo Filly & MGISW, 5-2-2-0, $1,237,500.
Last Start: 9th GII Davona Dale S., GP, Feb. 27
Accomplishments Include: 1st GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies, KEE, Nov. 6 1st GI Spinaway S., SAR, Sept. 6, 2nd GI Frizette S., BEL, Oct. 10
Next Start: Uncommitted
Equineline PPs. KY Oaks Points: 24

Her race in the Davona Dale, where she was ninth and beaten a city block, remains a mystery. What happened? Trainer Butch Reid said there's nothing new to report on his Eclipse Award-winning filly and that her next race has yet to be picked out. Coming off a terrible race and with not much time left before the Oaks, it's no certainty she will make the race. But we will keep her in the Top 10 until the connections say the Oaks is not in her future. Can you draw a line through her last race or not?

8) 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 GIII Santa Ysabel S., SA, Mar. 7
Next Start: GII Santa Anita Oaks, SA, Apr. 3
Equineline PPs. KY Oaks Points: 50

It's been an odd year for the California-based 3-year-old fillies. No one has stepped forward to claim the top spot in the division and most of the fillies racing there have yet to run a big speed figure. The latest to emerge is Beautiful Gift, who earned an 87 Beyer when winning the Santa Ysabel. There were only four horses in the race and three were trained by Bob Baffert. Scored a narrow win over Moraz (Empire Maker), who was just a head back at the wire. A win in Santa Anita Oaks would solidify her standing as the top 3-year-old filly based in Southern California.

9) 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: SW, 2-2-0-0, $161,500.
Last Start: 1st Busher Invitational S., AQU, Mar. 6
Next Start: GII Gazelle S., AQU, Apr. 3
Equineline PPs. KY Oaks Points: 50

A very interesting prospect from the barn of Chad Brown. Made just her second lifetime start in the one-mile Busher Invitational, which she won by a half-length. She didn't beat the best field, but she showed a lot for a horse who had merely broken her maiden and had never raced beyond six furlongs. “I like the way she galloped out and I think she's going to be a good filly in the future. Two turns will be even better,” jockey Javier Castellano said after the win. The Gazelle, which is next, is run at a mile-and-an-eighth and will be an important test for the daughter of Flatter.

10) PAULINE'S PEARL (Tapit–Hot Dixie Chick, by Dixie Union)
O/B-Stonestreet Stables LLC (KY). T-Steve Asmussen. Lifetime Record: GSP, 4-1-1-1, $101,500.
Last Start: 2nd GIII Honeybee S., OP, Mar. 6
Next Start: Possible for GIII Fantasy S., OP, Apr. 3
Equineline PPs. KY Oaks Points: 20

Looks like the second best 3-year-old filly in the Steve Asmussen barn. She didn't break her maiden until Feb. 12, and didn't take much money when making her stakes debut in the Honeybee. At 18-1, ran a sharp second behind Will's Secret. A Stonestreet Stables homebred, she is by Tapit, which means she probably hasn't peaked. Dam Hot Dixie Chick (Dixie Union) won the GI Spinaway S. in 2009 for Asmussen. She never won beyond seven furlongs or was even tested at a distance longer than that.

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

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The TDN Oaks Top 10 for March 4

It wasn't that long ago that the picture for the 3-year-old fillies seemed pretty straightforward. Vequist (Nyquist) was the clear leader of the division and there appeared to be a handful of other top fillies that could challenge her supremacy. Has that ever changed. Vequist did nothing right in her 3-year-old debut in the Davona Dale S., finishing ninth, 26 lengths behind the winner. Second choice Millefeuille (Curlin) didn't fare much better, finishing seventh. The winner, Wholebodemeister (Bodemeister), paid $107.60. Meanwhile, GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies runner-up Dayoutoftheoffice (Into Mischief) has not had a published workout since Jan. 25. And Malathaat (Curlin), the winner of the GII Demoiselle S., missed some training time and only recently returned to the work tab. The bottom line is that this division is a mess. Hopefully, the picture will look better after this weekend, which features the Busher Invitational at Aqueduct, the GIII Honeybee S. at Oaklawn and the GIII Santa Ysabel S. at Santa Anita.

1) CLAIRIERE (Curlin–Cavorting, by Bernardini)
O/B-Stonestreet Stables (KY). T-Steve Asmussen. Lifetime Record: GSW, 3-2-1-0, $270,492.
Last Start: 1st GII Rachel Alexandra S. presented by Fasig-Tipton, FG, Feb. 13
Accomplishments Include: 2nd GII Golden Rod S., CD, Nov. 28
Next Start: GII Fair Grounds Oaks, FG, Mar. 20
Equineline PPs. KY Oaks Points: 54
She winds up in the top spot after Vequist ran so poorly in the Davona Dale. That's not to say that she is a clear-cut favorite for the GI Kentucky Oaks. Anything but. But she is coming off of a win in the GII Rachel Alexandra, is in the capable hands of Hall of Famer Steve Asmussen and defeated a good one in Travel Column (Frosted) in her last start. She's a late-running filly by Curlin, so distance should not be a problem for and she is likely to get better in the months ahead. Breezed five furlongs in 1:00.60 on Monday.

2) ZAAJEL (Street Sense–Asiya, by Daaher)
O/B-Shadwell Stable (KY). T-Todd Pletcher. Lifetime Record: GSW, 2-2-0-0, $84,140.
Last Start: 1st GIII Forward Gal S., GP, Jan. 31
Next Start: Uncommitted
Equineline PPs. KY Oaks Points: 10
Really hasn't done enough to merit being second on this list, but who else is better? At the very least, Zaajel has a lot of potential. She broke her maiden impressively for trainer Todd Pletcher and came right back to win the GIII Forward Gal S at seven furlongs. Pletcher will, no doubt, pick out a route for her next start. That will be the test and if she passes it she will have proven that she belongs in the same sentence with the top horses in the division. Her dam has had five runners, with four winners, including Aljaaweed (Curlin), the runner-up in the 2019 GII Remsen S.

3) 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: GSW & GISP,
4-2-1-1, $269,184.
Last Start: 2nd GII Rachel Alexandra S. presented by Fasig-Tipton, FG, Feb. 13
Accomplishments Include: 1st GII Golden Rod S., CD, Nov. 28, 3rd GI Darley Alcibiades S., KEE, Oct. 2
Next Start: GII Fair Grounds Oaks, FG, Mar. 20
Equineline PPs. KY Oaks Points: 32
Also moves up, from fifth to third, due to attrition in the ranks. If you like Clairiere, you probably can't dislike this filly. She had the lead at the stretch call in the Rachel Alexandra before losing to Clairiere by a neck. An $850,000 purchase at the 2019 Fasig-Tipton Saratoga sale, she beat Clairiere in the last start at two for both of them, the GII Golden Rod S. Also comes from a powerful barn in the Brad Cox stable. As has been the case over the last few years, Cox is loaded in this division and will be looking fr his third Oaks win since 2018.

4) SIMPLY RAVISHING (Laoban–Four Wishes, by More Than Ready)
O-Harold Lerner, Magdalena Racing & Nehoc Stables.
B-Meg Levy (NY). T-Ken McPeek. Sales History: $50,000 ylg '19 FTKOCT. Lifetime Record: GISW, 5-3-0-0, $414,200.
Last Start: 4th GII Golden Rod S., CD, Nov. 28
Accomplishments Include: 1st GI Darley Alcibiades S., KEE,
Oct. 2, 1st P.G. Johnson S., SAR, Sept. 3
Next Start: Uncommitted
Equineline PPs. KY Oaks Points: 13
Trainer Kenny McPeek continues to take his time with the filly that won last year's GI Darley Alcibiades S., but it appears that she is getting close to a race. She worked five furlongs in :59.27 seconds on Feb. 26. Because she had an up-and-down 2-year-old campaign, she's a hard horse to gauge. What will we get this year, the horse who romped in the Alcibiades or the horse who was fourth in the Golden Road at odds of 7-10? Trainer Kenny McPeek did everything right last year with Swiss Skydiver (Daredevil), but failed to win the Oaks. You know he'd like to make amends this year.

5) 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: GSW, 3-2-0-0, $172,150.
Last Start: 1st GII Demoiselle S., AQU, Dec. 5
Accomplishments Include: 1st Tempted S., AQU, Nov. 6
Next Start: Uncommitted
Equineline PPs. KY Oaks Points: 10
She drops down a couple of spots because she missed a work and had to sit out the Davona Dale. Trainer Pletcher reports that it was not a significant issue and she is already back on the work tab, having breezed a half-mile in :49.21 Sunday. He said he will look for a race for her in April. Though the problem has been described as minor, it's never a good thing when a horse misses time this close to a race as tough as the Oaks. And if Pletcher sticks to his time line, she'll come into the Oaks off of one prep as a 3-year-old. That, too, is a difficult position to be in. But she is a talented, undefeated (3-for-3) daughter of Curlin and may yet be good enough to overcome the challenges that she's about to face.

6) VEQUIST (Nyquist—Vero Amore, by Mineshaft)
O-Gary Barber, Wachtel Stable & Swilcan Stable. B-Swilcan Stables (KY). T-Robert E. Reid, Jr. Sales History: $120,000 RNA ylg '19 KEESEP. Lifetime Record: Ch. 2yo Filly & MGISW, 5-2-2-0, $1,237,500.
Last Start: 9th GII Davona Dale S., GP, Feb. 27
Accomplishments Include: 1st GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies, KEE, Nov. 6 1st GI Spinaway S., SAR, Sept. 6, 2nd GI Frizette S., BEL, Oct. 10
Next Start: Uncommitted
Equineline PPs. KY Oaks Points: 24
What happened to her in the Davona Dale? That's among the biggest mysteries so far this year in racing, how a horse can go from winning the Juvenile Fillies to running so dismally in a 3-year-old debut. Trainer Butch Reid has said he has found nothing seriously wrong with her, so all one can do is scratch their heads. It would be a rare feat to come back from a race that was that bad and win a race like the Oaks. But until her connections say she is off the Oaks trail, she has to be included somewhere on this list. Reid has not picked out her next start but said it definitely won't be at Gulfstream. He is concerned she doesn't like the South Florida heat.

7) KALYPSO (Brody's Cause–Malibu Cove, by Malibu Moon)
O-David A. Bernsen, Rockingham Ranch & Chad Littlefield. B-Spendthrift Farm (KY). T-Bob Baffert. Sales History: $240,000 ylg '19 FTKJUL. Lifetime Record: GSW & GISP,
5-2-2-1, $245,600.
Last Start: 2nd GIII Las Virgenes S., SA, Feb. 6
Accomplishments Include: 1st GII Santa Ynez S., SA, Jan. 3, 1st Anoakia S., SA, Oct. 18, 2nd GI Starlet S., LRC, Dec. 5
Next Start: GIII Santa Ysabel S., SA, Mar. 7
Equineline PPs. KY Oaks Points: 18
She's set to go Sunday in the Santa Ysabel, where a win would cement her status as the top 3-year-old filly in California, a division that has been hit with some fairly serious defections through injury. A $240,000 purchase at the Fasig-Tipton Kentucky Select Yearling Sale, she's proven to be a good buy. She's never run a bad race and is already a Grade II winner, having captured the Santa Ynez S. Trainer Bob Baffert is known for winning the GI Kentucky Derby, but he's hardly a slouch when it comes to the Oaks. He's won the race three times and will be going for his first win since 2017 with Abel Tasman (Quality Road).

8) SUN PATH (Munnings–Touch the Star, by Tapit)
O/B-Juddmonte Farms Inc (KY). T-Brad Cox. Lifetime Record:
4-2-1-0, $97,892.
Last Start: 4th Silverbulletday S., FG, Jan. 16
Accomplishments Include: 1st Allowance, FG, Dec. 18, 1st MSW, CD, Nov. 8
Next Start: GIII Honeybee S., OP, Mar. 6
Equineline PPs. KY Oaks Points: 1
She deserves another chance. As the 7-10 favorite, she didn't run up to expectations when fourth in the Silverbulletday S. at the Fair Grounds in her last start. Before that, she looked like a serious prospect when winning an allowance race by 12 3/4 lengths. It's become unusual to see a Brad Cox-trained horse disappoint in a big race, so it would be no surprise if she were to rebound in Saturday's Honeybee S. at Oaklawn. Hasn't missed a beat in the mornings with four works since her last race. One bad sign: Florent Geroux has gotten off of her to ride Cox's other horse in the race, Coach (Commissioner).

9) WHOLEBODEMEISTER (Bodemeister–Wholelottashakin, by Scat Daddy)
O/B-Sabana Farm (KY). T-Juan Avila. Lifetime Record: GSW,
7-3-0-1, $175,922.
Last Start: 1st GII Davona Dale S., GP, Feb. 27
Next Start: GI Kentucky Oaks, CD, Apr. 30
Equineline PPs. KY Oaks Points: 52
Wouldn't have been on anyone's Oaks list before her stunning upset in the Davona Dale. Not only did she win at 52-1, but she thrashed her opponents, winning by 6 1/2 lengths. Trainer Juan Carlos Avila says she won't run her again until the Oaks. “That will be two months between races, which will be perfect for her.” Avila is setting himself up for more criticism. He took the same approach with King Guillermo (Uncle Mo) for last year's Kentucky Derby and his plan didn't come close to working out. Despite her big win, she'll still be a longshot going forward as many handicappers will likely dismiss the Davona Dale as a fluke.

10) THE GRASS IS BLUE (Broken Vow–Shine Softly, by Adebaran)
O-Louis Lazzinnaro LLC. B-Phillips Racing Partnership (KY).
T-Chad Brown. Sales History: $20,000 yrl '19 KEESEP. Lifetime Record: SW, 5-3-0-1, $121,978.
Last Start: 1st Busanda S., Aqu, Jan. 24
Accomplishments Include: 3rd Anne Arundel County S., Lrl,
Dec. 26
Next Start: Busher Invitational S., AQU, Mar. 6
Equineline PPs. KY Oaks Points: 10
The jury is still out on this one. She comes from the powerful Chad Brown barn and was a solid winner when taking the Busanda by a length. But class handicappers will see that she started her career off in a $25,000 maiden claimer and has yet to start in a graded stakes. It looks like Brown made a smart move when deciding to keep her with his New York division for the winter. The New York preps for the Oaks usually don't come up that tough and there's plenty of money to be made, starting with the $250,000 Busher.

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

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The TDN Kentucky Oaks Top 10 for Feb. 11

In the month since we last served up a TDN Kentucky Oaks Top 10, there have been a number of stakes for 3-year-old fillies, but not a lot of movement on our list. Sun Path (Munnings) drops off the list after a disappointing fourth-place finish in the Silverbulletday and we'll wait to include Girl Daddy (Uncle Mo) until she has her first official workout in 2021. Moonlight d'Oro (Medaglia d'Oro) came out of last weekend looking like the top threat from the West after her win in the GIII Las Virgenes S., but has been sidelined with a knee chip. Charlie's Penny (Race Day), the winner of the Silverbulletday S., is also off the trail after suffering a hairline fracture in her shin.
Fair Grounds will host the GIII Rachel Alexandra S. Presented by Fasig-Tipton this Saturday, which features the return of the Brad Cox-trained Travel Column (Frosted). Meanwhile, the GII Davona Dale S., to be run Feb. 27 at Gulfstream, is shaping up as the best 3-year-old filly race so far this year with several members of the Top 10 slated to take part.

1) VEQUIST (Nyquist–Vero Amore, by Mineshaft)
O-Gary Barber, Wachtel Stable & Swilcan Stable. B-Swilcan Stables (KY). T-Robert E. Reid, Jr. Sales History: $120,000 RNA ylg '19 KEESEP. Lifetime Record: MGISW, 4-2-2-0, $1,235,500.
Last Start: 1st GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies, KEE, Nov. 6
Accomplishments Include: 1st GI Spinaway S., SAR, Sept. 6, 2nd GI Frizette S., BEL, Oct. 10
Next Start: GII Davona Dale S., GP, Feb. 27
Equineline PPs. KY Oaks Points: 24
To the surprise of no one, Vequist was named the champion 2-year-old filly of 2020 when the Eclipse Awards were announced last month. She wrapped up the title when winning the GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies over rival Dayoutoftheoffice (Into Mischief). She'll attempt to become the first horse to pull off the Breeders' Cup-Kentucky Oaks double since Silverbulletday, the 1999 Oaks winner. After giving his filly some time off over the winter, trainer Butch Reid has started to get serious with her in the mornings. She's had three listed workouts this year at Palm Meadows, the latest five furlongs in 1:00.95, and will breeze again Saturday. It won't take long to tell how she has progressed since winning the Juvenile Fillies, as she will need to be at her very best to win what will be a loaded Davona Dale.

2) DAYOUTOFTHEOFFICE (Into Mischief–Gottahaveadream, by Indian Charlie)
O-Blazing Meadows Farm & Siena Farm. B-Siena Farms (KY). T-Timothy Hamm. Lifetime Record: GISW, 4-3-1-0, $556,500.
Last Start: 2nd GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies, KEE, Nov. 6
Accomplishments Include: 1st GI Frizette S., BEL, Oct. 10, 1st GIII Schuylerville S., SAR, July 16
Next Start: Undecided
Equineline PPs. KY Oaks Points: 18
Dayoutoftheoffice returned to the Tampa Bay Downs barn of Tim Hamm last month and breezed five furlongs there Jan. 24 in 1:01. Hamm does most of his winning at B and C level tracks like Mahoning Valley, which makes him easy to root for when he goes up against the Bafferts and Pletchers of the world. Her team reports that they have yet to decide on this one's next start. She hasn't had a work since the Jan. 24 move, which is a concern, but the connections say the Oaks remains a goal.

3) 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: GSW & GISP, 3-2-0-1, $209,184.
Last Start: 1st GII Golden Rod S., CD, Nov. 28
Accomplishments Include: 3rd GI Darley Alcibiades S., KEE, Oct. 2
Next Start: GII Rachel Alexandra S. presented by Fasig-Tipton, FG, Feb. 13
Equineline PPs. KY Oaks Points: 12
Since his emergence as a top trainer, Brad Cox has always been loaded with 3-year-old filly talent and has won the Kentucky Oaks twice in the last three years. Travel Column appears to be his best filly at this point. After running third, beaten 7 1/2 lengths in the GI Darley Alcibiades S. in October, she fared much better when winning the GII Golden Rod S. She goes next in Saturday's Rachel Alexandra S. at the Fair Grounds, which should be a good test as she headlines a solid field that includes Golden Rod runner-up Clairiere (Curlin). An $850,000 yearling purchase at Fasig-Tipton Saratoga, she is by Frosted out of a Victory Gallop mare and should have no problem getting the Oaks distance of nine furlongs.

4) 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: GSW, 3-2-0-0, $172,150.
Last Start: 1st GII Demoiselle S., AQU, Dec. 5
Accomplishments Include: 1st Tempted S., AQU, Nov. 6
Next Start: GII Davona Dale S., GP, Feb. 27
Equineline PPs. KY Oaks Points: 10
There's a lot to like about the daughter of Curlin who was a $1.05-million yearling buy. Trained by Todd Pletcher, she is undefeated in three starts and has already won at a 1 1/8 miles, which she did in the GII Demoiselle S. The main knock on her is that she isn't that fast. She got a 76 Beyer in the Demoiselle, a slight decline from the 83 she got when winning the Tempted S. She will get a serious test in the Davona Dale and if she were to win that, she'd likely assume the top spot in this and other polls.

5) ZAAJEL (Street Sense–Asiya, by Daaher)
O/B-Shadwell Stable (KY). T-Todd Pletcher. Lifetime Record: GSW, 2-2-0-0, $84,140.
Last Start: 1st GIII Forward Gal S., GP, Jan. 31
Next Start: Undecided.
Equineline PPs. KY Oaks Points: 10.
Like Malathaat, she comes from the team of Todd Pletcher and Shadwell Stable. A homebred, her dam has had four winners from five starters, but Zaajel is her first stakes winner. After toying with her opponents in her debut, she came back to win the GIII Forward Gal S. at Gulfstream at seven furlongs. She still has to prove that she can win around two turns, but based on her breeding that probably won't be a problem. Pletcher said he has not picked out the next start for this filly. It's likely he will want to keep her and Malathaat apart.

6) SIMPLY RAVISHING (Laoban–Four Wishes, by More Than Ready)
O-Harold Lerner, Magdalena Racing & Nehoc Stables. B-Meg Levy (NY). T-Ken McPeek. Sales History: $50,000 ylg '19 FTKOCT. Lifetime Record: GISW, 5-3-0-0, $414,200.
Last Start: 4th GII Golden Rod S., CD, Nov. 28
Accomplishments Include: 1st GI Darley Alcibiades S., KEE, Oct. 2, 1st P.G. Johnson S., SAR, Sept. 3
Next Start: Undecided
Equineline PPs. KY Oaks Points: 13
Trainer Kenny McPeek seems to be taking his time with this filly. He has yet to announce her first start and she only recently showed up on the work tab. Her first work came last week and it was a four-furlong breeze in :48.89. A $50,000 purchase at the Fasig-Tipton Kentucky Fall yearling sale, she appeared to be among the best in her division when winning the GI Darley Alcibiades S. by 6 1/4 lengths, but, subsequently finished fourth in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies and the Golden Rod. McPeek will need to get her to rebound and run back to her best races to have a shot at winning the Oaks.

7) KALYPSO (Brody's Cause–Malibu Cove, by Malibu Moon)
O-David A. Bernsen, Rockingham Ranch & Chad Littlefield. B-Spendthrift Farm (KY). T-Bob Baffert. Sales History: $240,000 ylg '19 FTKJUL. Lifetime Record: GSW & GISP, 5-2-2-1, $245,600.
Last Start: 2nd GIII Las Virgenes S., SA, Feb. 6
Accomplishments Include: 1st GII Santa Ynez S., SA, Jan. 3, 1st Anoakia S., SA, Oct. 18, 2nd GI Starlet S., LRC, Dec. 5
Next Start: Undecided.
Equineline PPs. KY Oaks Points: 18
A $240,000 purchase at the Fasig-Tipton Kentucky Select Yearling Sale, she was somewhat of a disappointment when second as the 7-10 favorite in the Las Virgenes. But with race winner Moonlight d'Oro having been sidelined, Kalypso looks as good as any of the fillies based in California. But that might not be enough as that group looks to be weaker than the groups in the East and Midwest. She's been beaten the only two times she has gone around two turns, so that is a concern.

8) SLUMBER PARTY (Malibu Moon–Devilish Lady, by Sweetsouthernsaint)
'TDN Rising Star' O/B-Gary and Mary West Stables (KY). T-Kelly Breen. Lifetime Record: 1-1-0-0, $25,800.
Last Start: 1st MSW, GP, Jan. 24
Next Start: Undecided.
Equineline PPs. KY Oaks Points: 0.
The 'TDN Rising Star' snuck up on a lot of people when breaking her maiden Jan. 24 at Gulfstream by 7 1/2 lengths for trainer Kelly Breen and owners Gary and Mary West. Sent off at 5-1, she absolutely demolished the competition that day, winning in a manner that suggests there is a lot more to come. It's not impossible to have your first start in January and then go on to win the Kentucky Oaks, but she has a lot of catching up to do. She looks like Breen's best 3-year-old filly since he won the GII Gazelle S. and the Davona Dale in 2017 with Miss Sky Warrior (First Samurai).

9) CURLIN'S CATCH (Curlin–Catch the Thrill, by A.P. Indy)
O-Breeze Easy, Inc. B-Sam-Son Farm (On). T-Mark E Casse. Sales History: $180,000 yrl '19 KEESEP; $430,000 2yo '20 OBSAPR. Lifetime Record: SW, 4-2-1-0, $103,454.
Last Start: 1st Suncoast S., TAM, Feb. 6
Next Start: GII Davona Dale S., GP, Feb. 27
Equineline PPs. KY Oaks Points: 10.
Another Curlin filly and an Ontario-bred trained by Mark Casse, she started her career off at Woodbine, where she was 0-for-2 over the synthetic surface. Since switching to dirt, she's 2-for-2, including a win in the Suncoast S. at Tampa Bay Downs. She probably didn't beat much that day, but looks like a horse on an upper trajectory for trainer Casse and the team at Breeze Easy LLC. She's about to get a serious test in the Davona Dale and will be looking to give the Hall of Fame trainer his first Oaks win. Might also, eventually, wind up in the Queen's Plate S.

10) THE GRASS IS BLUE (Broken Vow–Shine Softly, by Adebaran)
O-Louis Lazzinnaro LLC. B-Phillips Racing Partnership (KY). T-Chad Brown. Sales History: $20,000 yrl '19 KEESEP. Lifetime Record: SW, 5-3-0-1, $121,978.
Last Start: 1st Busanda S., Aqu, Jan. 24
Accomplishments Include: 3rd Anne Arundel County S., Lrl, Dec. 26.
Next Start: Undecided.
Equineline PPs. KY Oaks Points: 10.
Just a $20,000 yearling buy who debuted in a $25,000 maiden claimer at Monmouth for trainer Jose Delgado, she has come a long way. She now finds herself in the barn of Chad Brown, who got her to win the Busanda S. at Aqueduct in her last start. She remains with Brown's division in New York and will likely target races like the Gazelle S. This is not normally a division where Brown is strong, but this filly may be good enough for him to make some noise on the way to the Oaks.

The post The TDN Kentucky Oaks Top 10 for Feb. 11 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 for Sept. 2

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Equineline PPs. KY Oaks Points: 50.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Equineline PPs. KY Oaks Points: 450.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Equineline PPs. KY Oaks Points: 160.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Equineline PPs. KY Oaks Points: 62.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Equineline PPs. KY Oaks Points: 90.

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

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

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

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

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

Equineline PPs. KY Oaks Points: 50.

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

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

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

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

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

Equineline PPs. KY Oaks Points: 35

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

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

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

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

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

Equineline PPs. KY Oaks Points: 47

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

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

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

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

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

Equineline PPs. KY Oaks Points: 8.

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

The post Kentucky Oaks Top 10 for Sept. 2 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

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