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Dorth Vader A ‘Force’ In Davona Dale

The 46-1 longest shot in a scratched-down field of eight for Saturday's GII Davona Dale S. at Gulfstream Park, Dorth Vader (Girvin) swatted away heavily favored Red Carpet Ready (Oscar Performance) in upper stretch and comfortably held a late flourish from 28-1 Guns N' Graces (Gun Runner) to cause a massive boilover. Red Carpet Ready just lasted to save third over Infinite Diamond (Bee Jersey).

Away in good order from an outside stall, Dorth Vader was part of the early pace battle while settled three off the inside by Miguel Vasquez as Red Carpet Ready was ridden positively to take up the running linking up with the track proper through a quarter in a lively :23.01. The homebred improved into second as Red Carpet was forced to cover the next couple of furlongs in :22.05, and by the time the leading duo had reached the top of the stretch, it was clear that Dorth Vader was going the better of the two. In front passing the three-sixteenths marker, the Florida-bred opened a daylight advantage and went on to score by open lengths as Guns N' Graces made belated progress to complete a $1 exacta that returned better than $940.

Having graduated at second asking against Florida-breds in August, Dorth Vader was third to Atomically (Girvin) in the My Dear Girl S. Oct. 1 before running away with the restricted Juvenile Fillies' Sprint four weeks later. Her 2 1/4-length tally in Tampa's Sandpiper S. Dec. 3 made her the 7-5 chalk when last seen in that venue's Gasparilla S. Jan. 14, but she tired badly to finish sixth of eight and she was friendless on the board Saturday.

“I was confident in her,” said trainer Michael Yates, tasting graded success for the first time. “I thought she would run a really big race, because of the way she had trained. I kind of drew a line through the Tampa race. That's happened to me more than once. It rained really hard the day before and it was kind of a heavy track, so we just drew a line through it.

He continued, “We're dreaming of it [Kentucky Oaks]. Why not? We nominated already to the [GII Gulfstream Oaks, Apr. 1]. Right now, we're just going to enjoy today and see how she comes out of the race and move forward. We'll talk to Mr. Ropes about it, and we'll make a decision. She'll help us decide.”

Pedigree Notes:

The third graded winner for Girvin, Dorth Vader is out of a half-sister to a two-time stakes winner in the Pacific Northwest who was bought back on a bid of $5,500 with this filly in utero at the 2020 OBS Winter Mixed Sale. The stakes-placed Hardcore Candy is the dam of the aptly named 2-year-old filly Theforcebewithyou (Air Force Blue) and her last listed produce is a yearling filly by Adios Charlie.

Saturday, Gulfstream
DAVONA DALE S. PRESENTED BY FANDUEL TV-GII, $200,000, Gulfstream, 3-4, 3yo, f, 1m, 1:37.23, ft.
1–DORTH VADER, 120, f, 3, by Girvin
                1st Dam: Hardcore Candy (SP, $101,308), by Yonaguska
                2nd Dam: Its a Girl, by Thunder Gulch
                3rd Dam: Ladyago, by Northern Dancer
1ST GRADED STAKES WIN. O/B-John Ropes (FL); T-Michael
Yates; J-Miguel Angel Vasquez. $120,280. Lifetime Record:
7-4-0-1, $327,508. Click for the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.
2–Guns n' Graces, 118, f, 3, Gun Runner–Imposing Grace,
by Empire Maker. 1ST BLACK TYPE, 1ST GRADED BLACK TYPE.
($375,000 Ylg '21 KEESEP). O-CHP Racing; B-Coffee Pot Stable
(KY); T-Chad C. Brown. $38,800.
3–Red Carpet Ready, 120, f, 3, Oscar Performance–Wild Silk,
by Street Sense. ($180,000 Ylg '21 FTSAUG; $100,000 RNA 2yo
'22 OBSAPR). O-Ashbrook Farm and Upland Flats Racing;
B-Lynn B. Schiff (KY); T-George R. Arnold, II. $19,400.
Margins: 4 3/4, 2 1/4, NK. Odds: 46.70, 28.70, 1.10.
Also Ran: Infinite Diamond, Lynx, Positano Sunset, Undervalued Asset, Leave No Trace. Scratched: Adeliese's Smile, Atomically.
Click for the Equibase.com chart and the TJCIS.com PPs. VIDEO, sponsored by TVG.

The post Dorth Vader A ‘Force’ In Davona Dale 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 Feb. 23

Doesn't anyone want to be No. 1?

At the beginning of the month, the 3-year-old filly picture looked pretty set. There were two big stars in Wonder Wheel (Into Mischief) and Hoosier Philly (Into Mischief) and then there was everyone else. Surely, one, if not both, would cruise through their preps and enter the GI Kentucky Oaks ready to finish the job. Then Wonder Wheel was defeated in the Suncoast S. as the 1-2 favorite, losing to 38-1 shot Dreaming of Snow (Jess's Dream). And then, a week later, Hoosier Philly threw in a dud, finishing a well-beaten third in the GII Risen Star S. in her 3-year-old debut. She was 2-5.

Within the span of a week, the division went from clear-cut to completely scrambled, with no clear leader. With 10 weeks to go, the Kentucky Oaks is anyone's race.

The GIII Honeybee S. at Oaklawn will be the lone highlight among Oaks preps this weekend. The GIII Santa Ysabel S. was scheduled for Saturday, but will now be run the following week as Santa Anita has canceled its races this weekend due to the forecast of heavy rain.

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.

She lost the top spot to Hoosier Philly after finishing second in the Suncoast, but is back on top because, well, someone has to be No. 1. Certainly, after her loss in the Suncoast, she deserves another chance. One would have expected that with her class she should have gotten by Dreaming of Snow. She had the entire length of the stretch to do so and couldn't get past her. But trainer Mark Casse didn't seem disappointed with the race and has said his filly will move forward off the effort. It's entirely possible and a win in the GI Ashland S. might cement her spot as the top threat for the Oaks. Next Start: GI Ashland S., Kee, Apr. 7.

2) FAIZA (f, Girvin–Sweet Pistol, by Smart Strike) 'TDN Rising Star' O-Michael L. Petersen. B-Brereton C. Jones (Ky). T-Bob Baffert. Sales history: $90,000 yrl '21 FTKJUL; $725,000 2yo '22 FTMMAY. Lifetime Record: GISW, 3-3-0-0, $342,000. Last Start: Won GIII Las Virgenes S. at Santa Anita Jan. 28. Kentucky Oaks Points: 0.

With most of the attention in this division focused on Wonder Wheel and Hoosier Philly, the Southern California contingent has been largely overlooked, which could be a mistake because there's a lot of depth to that group. For now, Faiza looks to be the best of the bunch, a status she can solidify in the Santa Ysabel. Faiza has yet to do anything wrong. A $725,000 purchase at the 2022 Fasig-Tipton Midlantic Two-Year-Olds in Training Sale, she's 3-for-3, won the GI Starlet S. and then beat the likes of Justique (Justify) and Pride of the Nile (Pioneerof the Nile) in the GIII Las Virgenes S. But she's yet to turn in the sort of powerful performance that earns a big speed figure that you would expect from a leading contender for the Kentucky Oaks. Maybe she will in the Santa Ysabel. Next Start: GIII Santa Ysabel S., SA, TBD.

3) 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. Feb. 18. Kentucky Oaks Points: 25.

Hoosier Philly | Coady

What happened to Hoosier Philly in the Rachel Alexandra? She looked nothing like the filly who was so impressive in her three starts at two. Trainer Tom Amoss was her biggest fan and proclaimed her to be the best horse he has ever trained. She just didn't have it in the Rachel Alexandra, finishing third, beaten 8 1/2 lengths. Her Beyer figure was a 70, nowhere close to what is needed to win at the Grade I level. “I was very disappointed because we had such high expectations,” Amoss said. “She broke well and then in her third or fourth stride the ground came out underneath her and she stumbled. That was a contributing factor in her effort.” Hoosier Philly returned to the track on Wednesday and Amoss will take his time before figuring out the next step. The GII Fair Grounds Oaks on March 25 looks like a logical spot, but the trainer said he is not ready to commit to any one race. “She came back to the track today and is healthy,” he said. “I anticipate a start with her within the next four or five weeks.” She stays among the top three in this poll only because there's some chance the Rachel Alexandra was an outlier and she will be back to her old self in her next start. Next Start: To Be Determined.

4) LEAVE NO TRACE (f, Outwork–Tanquerray, by Good Journey) O-WellSpring Stables. B-Red Cloak Farm, LLC (Ky). T-Philip Serpe. Sales history: $8,000 yrl '21 FTFFEB; $40,000 yrl '21 FTMOCT. Lifetime Record: GISW, 4-2-1-1, $598,650. Last Start: 2nd GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies at Keeneland Nov. 4. Kentucky Oaks Points: 15.

When it comes to preparing the GI Spinaway S. winner for her 3-year-old debut in the GII Davona Dale S. on March 4, trainer Phil Serpe continues to take an unconventional route. Concerned about the condition of the main track at Gulfstream after a rainy period, he worked his filly twice on the Tapeta surface. He followed that up with a one-mile work on the dirt at Gulfstream on Feb. 19. Leave No Trace went in 1:47.81. “Those mile works are something I have done with a lot of horses going back to my Monmouth Park days,” Serpe said. “My concern with her was her fitness level. It seems like everybody works fast on the Tapeta course. As I thought about it more I thought we needed to get a good work into her on the dirt after having the last two works on Tapeta, which is why I worked her a mile. The works we do are slow mile works where we don't press on the horse. She did it pretty easily. She's a smart filly. She knows what she is doing out there and is an aggressive horse when she trains. So far so good.” Her biggest attribute is her consistency. While competing in the Spinaway, the GI Frizette S. and the GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies, she's never been worse than third. Next Start: GII Davona Dale S., GP, Mar. 4.

5) RED CARPET READY (f, Oscar Performance–Wild Silk, by Street Sense) O-Ashbrook Farm & Upland Flats Racing; B-Lynn B. Schiff (Ky); T-Rusty Arnold. Sales history: $180,000 ylr '21 FTSAUG; $100,000 RNA 2yo '22 OBSAPR. Lifetime Record: GSW, 3-3-0-0, $265,470. Last Start: Won GIII Forward Gal S. at Gulfstream Park Feb. 4. Kentucky Oaks Points: 20.

She's got a lot of ability, but does that mean she's a top Kentucky Oaks contender? It's a tough call. The daughter of Oscar Performance is three for three and is coming off an impressive win in the GIII Forward Gal S. But she's never run beyond seven furlongs or around two turns, so she has to prove that she can stretch out. Her pedigree certainly says that she can. The Davona Dale will be an important test. For Red Carpet Ready, a win there, at a mile, would mean she's very much a top contender for the Oaks. Next Start: GII Davona Dale S., GP, Mar. 4.

6) 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.

Pretty Mischievous | Photo by Hodges Photography

She came into the Rachel Alexandra with decent credentials, three wins from four starts and a victory in the Untapable S. But she was totally overshadowed by Hoosier Philly. But she proved she belonged among the top names in the division with a three-quarter length win. The race got an 83 Beyer which, in a year where no one in this division has been posting big numbers, puts her in the mix. She's by Into Mischief, which means three of the top six in this poll are by the super sire. The dam, Pretty City Dancer (Tapit) won the 2016 Spinaway before selling for $3.5 million at the 2018 Fasig-Tipton Kentucky Fall Mixed Sale. Next Start: GI Ashland S., Kee, Apr. 7 or GII Fair Grounds Oaks, FG, Mar. 25.

7) 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.

Her big sister, Malathaat (Curlin), was undefeated when she won the 2021 Kentucky Oaks. That's not going to happen with Julia Shining as she suffered her first career defeat when third in the Suncoast S. Even with her fast start, Malathaat kept on improving, winning an Eclipse Award as the champion 3-year-old filly in 2021 and another as the champion older mare last year. Is Julia Shining as good? Probably not. She had no excuse when third in the Suncoast. Her best Beyer figure to date is the 81 she got in the Suncoast. Malathaat got a 95 when winning the Oaks. There's a lot of upside with this filly but she will need to show more in the Ashland in order to look like a top threat for the Oaks. Next Start: GI Ashland S., Kee, Apr. 7.

8) 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.

Trainer Brad Cox sat out the Rachel Alexandra with this one and will await the Fair Grounds Oaks. “She breezed (on Feb. 19) and is on target for the Fair Grounds Oaks,” Cox said. “We just didn't want to dance all the dances. Wanted to have some horse left for the spring and the rest of the year and we just thought it would be the right time to give her some time between races.” Cox's lineup for the Oaks isn't as deep as his Derby contingent, but he's got a few serious threats and this may be the best of them. She defeated stablemate Chop Chop (City of Light) to win the Silverbulletday S. It's worth noting that Chop Chop was fifth when last seen in the Rachel Alexandra. Next Start: GII Fair Grounds Oaks, FG, Mar. 25.

9) JUSTIQUE (f, Justify–Grazie Mille, by Bernardini) 'TDN Rising Star' O-C R K Stable, LLC. B-John D. Gunther & Eurowest Bloodstock (Ky). T-John A. Shirreffs. Sales history: $725,000 yrl '21 KEESEP. Lifetime Record: SW & MGSP, 4-2-0-2, $156,000. Last Start: 3rd GIII Las Virgenes S. at Santa Anita Jan. 28. Kentucky Oaks Points: 9.

The Santa Ysabel should answer every question there is about this filly. It could even be a must-win race for her as she needs to prove that she can win around two turns. That's the question that has been dogging her since she finished third in the Las Virgenes and never seriously threatened. Trainer John Shirreffs says he's confident that distance is not a problem. We'll see. There's nothing wrong with having a stakes quality sprinter in the barn. Next Start: GIII Santa Ysabel S., SA, TBD.

10) PRIDE OF THE NILE (f, Pioneerof the Nile–Inny Minnie, by Hard Spun) O-West Coast Stables, LLC. B-Stonestreet Thoroughbred Holdings LLC (Ky). T-Doug F. O'Neill. Sales history: $140,000 yrl '21 KEESEP. Lifetime Record: GISP, 5-2-2-0, $185,800. Last Start: 2nd GIII Las Virgenes S. at Santa Anita Jan. 28. Kentucky Oaks Points: 12.

If Faiza is the best 3-year-old filly on the West Coast, then Pride of the Nile is likely the second best. She has turned in a couple of big efforts in her last two starts, but hasn't been able to beat Faiza. She was second, beaten a head, in the Starlet and second again, beaten a half-length, in the Las Virgenes. Can she turn the tables on her rival? That will be answered in the Santa Ysabel. A consistent filly who has finished out of the money only once in her career, the question is whether or not she is good enough. Seeks to give two-time Derby winning trainer Doug O'Neill his first win in the Oaks. Next Start: GIII Santa Ysabel S., SA, TBD.

The post The Kentucky Oaks Top 10 for Feb. 23 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. 16

All eyes last week were on the Suncoast S. at Tampa Bay Downs, where 38-1 shot Dreaming of Snow (Jess's Dream) scored a huge upset over 2-year-old filly champion Wonder Wheel (Into Mischief) and the highly regarded Julia Shining (Curlin). That wasn't enough for Dreaming of Snow to make this week's Top 10 for the GI Kentucky Oaks, but it was certainly a herculean effort to defeat two such highly regarded horses.

The spotlight this week will be on the Fair Grounds, where the mega-talented Hoosier Philly (Into Mischief) will make her 3-year-old debut in Saturday's GII Rachel Alexandra S. presented by Fasig-Tipton. The Rachel Alexandra field also includes Chop Chop (City of Light), the beaten favorite in the GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies and runner-up in the Silverbulletday S., and Untapable S. winner 'TDN Rising Star' Pretty Mischievous (Into Mischief).

GIII Santa Ynez S. winner Ice Dancing (Frosted) comes off the list as trainer Richard Mandella reports that she had to have a chip removed and will miss the Oaks. Munny's Gold (Munnings) has also been dropped from the list as it appears that her immediate future will include races in sprints.

1) 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, 3-3-0-0, $432,610. Last Start: Won GII Golden Rod S. at Churchill Downs Nov. 26. Kentucky Oaks Points: 10. Next Start: GII Rachel Alexandra S., FG, Feb. 18

With previous No. 1 Wonder Wheel going down to defeat in the Suncoast S., Hoosier Philly takes over the top spot for trainer Tom Amoss. Her start in the Rachel Alexandra has been widely anticipated since she concluded her 2-year-old campaign and Amoss professed that she was not just the best filly, but the best horse he has ever trained. That's high praise from someone who won the 2019 GI Kentucky Oaks with Serengeti Empress (Alternation). So far as Saturday's race goes, Amoss had this to say: “We have a lot of expectations for her based on what she's done so far, so there's a lot of anticipation about how she's going to come back at three,” he said. “Her morning preparation has been just as it was when she was two, so that gives us some feeling of confidence going into the race. But still, it is just her first race at three.” The bettors are on board. Though Amoss has only hinted at a possible start in the GI Kentucky Derby for his star, Hoosier Philly closed at 11-1 in the latest round of the Derby Future Wager. Only the “all others” selection and Forte (Violence) closed at lower odds. Is the hype justified? We'll know more after the Rachel Alexandra.

2) 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: MGISW, 5-4-1-0, $1,550,725. Last Start: 2nd Suncoast S. at Tampa Bay Downs Feb. 11. Kentucky Oaks Points: 48. Next Start: To Be Determined

There are a couple of ways of looking at Wonder Wheel's loss in the Suncoast S. at Tampa Bay Downs. It was her first start of the year and the connections said she got tired in the stretch. With much larger goals out there, it was not a race she had to win and she will certainly run better next time. “[Jockey] Tyler [Gaffalione] said she just got a little tired at the end,” trainer Mark Casse told the Daily Racing Form after the race. “I'm not at all unhappy. In fact, it kind of reminded me of her Spinaway effort.” Wonder Wheel was second in last year's GI Spinaway S., her only defeat as a 2-year-old. Then again…shouldn't a horse of her caliber have been able to get by a horse with modest credentials in Dreaming of Snow? She had the entire length of the stretch to pass her and just couldn't do it. Dreaming of Snow was 38-1 for a reason–her form coming into the race was nothing to brag about. All of which makes Wonder Wheel's next start very important. With anything less than an A effort, she will fall from the ranks of the top contenders for the Kentucky Oaks. The jury is out.

3) FAIZA (f, Girvin–Sweet Pistol, by Smart Strike) 'TDN Rising Star' O-Michael L Petersen. B-Brereton C. Jones (Ky). T-Bob Baffert. Sales history: $90,000 yrl '21 KEESEP; $725,000 2yo '22 FTMMAY. Lifetime Record: GISW, 2-2-0-0, $222,000. Last Start: Won the GI Starlet S. at Los Alamitos on Dec. 10. Kentucky Oaks Points: 0. Next Start: To Be Determined

So far, 'TDN Rising Star' Faiza has yet to run a big number, as the 77 Beyer she got when winning the GIII Las Virgenes S. in her most recent outing is her best to date. Other than that, she's hard to knock. After breaking her maiden in November at Del Mar, she came back to win the GI Starlet S. at Los Alamitos and then ground out a half-length win in the Las Virgenes. She's had one work since, covering three furlongs in 37.80 on Feb. 11 at Santa Anita. Like the Bob Baffert-trained 3-year-old colts, she might have to be moved into another barn so that she can be eligible to run in the Oaks. As of now, Baffert is banned from starting horses at Churchill Downs. By Girvin, Faiza cost $725,000 at the 2022 Fasig-Tipton Midlantic 2-Year-Olds in Training Sale. Girvin, who got off to a fast start last year at stud, began his stallion career in Florida but now stands in Kentucky at Airdrie Stud.

4) LEAVE NO TRACE (f, Outwork–Tanquerray, by Good Journey) O-WellSpring Stables. B-Red Cloak Farm, LLC (Ky). T-Philip Serpe. Sales history: $8,000 yrl '21 FTFFEB; $40,000 yrl '21 FTMOCT. Lifetime Record: GISW, 4-2-1-1, $598,650. Last Start: 2nd in the GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies at Keeneland Nov. 4. Kentucky Oaks Points: 15. Next Start: GII Davona Dale S., GP, Mar. 4

She may not have always won but at two this blue-collar filly was one who always showed up. A $40,000 purchase at the 2021 Fasig-Tipton Midlantic Fall Yearling Sale, the daughter of Outwork won the GI Spinaway S. and then was third in the GI Frizette S. and second in the GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies. Having finished behind Wonder Wheel in the Breeders' Cup and Chocolate Gelato (Practical Joke) in the Frizette, Leave No Trace may need to improve as a 3-year-old in order to win a race like the Oaks. Trainer Phil Serpe has taken to preparing her for her 3-year-old debut in the GII Davona Dale S. by working her on the Tapeta surface at Gulfstream, where she has worked five furlongs in :59.25 and four furlongs in :48.85. Leave No Trace is owned by Dr. Robert Vukovich and his wife Laura, who have a farm in Colts Neck, New Jersey.

5) RED CARPET READY (f, Oscar Performance-Wild Silk, by Street Sense) O-Ashbrook Farm and Upland Flats Racing; B-Lynn B. Schiff; T-Rusty Arnold. Sales history: $180,000 ylr '21 FTSAUG. Lifetime Record: GSW, 3-3-0-0, $265,470. Last Start: Won the GIII Forward Gal S. at Gulfstream Park on Feb. 4. Kentucky Oaks Points: 20. Next Start: To Be Determined

Joins the Top 10 after a win in the GIII Forward Gal S. at Gulfstream at seven furlongs. She's 3-for-3 and obviously has a lot of ability, having also won the Fern Creek S. after breaking her maiden by 10 lengths. But she must prove she can go a distance. Trainer Rusty Arnold thinks that she can and is pointing for the one-mile GII Davona Dale S. “She's not a rank filly that just tries to run off, so I'm pretty optimistic she will stretch out,” Arnold said. That she has been winning while sprinting on the dirt goes against logic when it comes to her pedigree. She is by Oscar Performance (Kitten's Joy), which should mean that her best fit is distance races on the turf. That might be her future, but, for now, she looks like a talented filly who could be very dangerous if making the adjustment to longer, two-turn races.

6) 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, 2-2-0-0, $194,075. Last Start: 3rd Suncoast S. at Tampa Bay Downs Feb. 11. Kentucky Oaks Points: 16. Next Start: To Be Determined

Her story mirrors that of Wonder Wheel. She ran OK to finish third in the Suncoast S. and should move forward off of the race, but surely her connections were expecting better than a third-place finish while going down to defeat to a 38-1 winner. The 'TDN Rising Star' lost by 1 1/2 lengths and had no apparent excuses. Then again, she is a filly who has shown a ton of potential and is a full-sister to champion Malathaat. She very easily can bounce back and, for her, the Ashland will be a huge test. Along with Hoosier Philly, is one of only two fillies nominated to the Triple Crown. Trainer Todd Pletcher likely did so with the GI Belmont S. in mind.

7) THE ALYS LOOK (f, Connect–Foul Play, by Harlan's Holiday) O-Ike and 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 the Silverbulletday S. at Fair Grounds Jan. 21. Kentucky Oaks Points: 24. Next Start: GII Fair Grounds Oaks, FG, Mar. 25

Will sit out this weekend's Rachel Alexandra and point to the GII Fair Grounds Oaks for trainer Brad Cox. She defeated stablemate Chop Chop last out in the Silverbulletday, posting a mild upset. Only a $60,000 yearling purchase, she was anything but an overnight sensation and lost her second career start, a maiden race at Churchill Downs, by 15 3/4 lengths. She's been a different horses since then, going two-for-three. Like a lot of Cox-trained horses, she seems to be on the improve and could prove to be the best 3-year-old filly from one of the sport's top barns. Cox has won two of the last five runnings of the Oaks.

8) JUSTIQUE (f, Justify–Grazie Mille, by Bernardini) 'TDN Rising Star' O-C R K Stable, LLC. B-John D. Gunther & Eurowest Bloodstock (Ky). T-John A Shirreffs. Sales history: $725,000 yrl '21 KEESEP. Lifetime Record: SW & GSP, 3-2-0-1, $132,000. Last Start: 3rd in the GIII Las Virgenes S. at Santa Anita Jan. 28. Kentucky Oaks Points: 9. Next Start: To Be Determined

Since Justique is 2-for-2 sprinting and 0-for-2 going a route of ground, there is speculation that she is a one-turn horse, even though she closes from another area code. Trainer John Shirreffs does not agree. “I don't think she really has a problem going around two turns,” Shirreffs said. “I know other people think that she does. She just hasn't had the right situation yet. Santa Anita sometimes has a big speed bias and it's hard for horses to close. Del Mar didn't have that and she really shined there. I think that's been a big factor.” The 'TDN Rising Star' looked great in her two sprint races, but was a non-threatening third last time out in the Las Virgenes. She'll have to do better next time out in the Santa Ysabel to be considered a top threat for the Oaks.

9) OCCULT (f, Into Mischief–Magical Feeling, by Empire Maker) O-Alpha Delta Stables, LLC. B-Peter E. Blum Thoroughbreds, LLC (Ky). T-Chad C. Brown. Sales history: $625,000 yrl '21 KEESEP. Lifetime Record: SW, 3-2-0-0, $107,450. Last Start: Won the Busanda S. at Aqueduct Jan. 14. Kentucky Oaks Points: 20. Next Start: To Be Determined

Occult, the winner of the Busanda S. at Aqueduct in her most recent start, remains in New York for trainer Chad Brown and has had three four-furlong workouts since her last start. Brown has yet to announce where she will run next. She probably didn't beat much in the Busanda, but she's got the credentials to be a major player in this division. She's by Into Mischief and is trained by Chad Brown, signs pointing to a bright future. She'll need to get better, but there's no reason why she can't.

10) CHOP CHOP (f, City of Light-Grand Sofia, by Giant's Causeway) O-Selective LLC. B-Cobra Farm & MRJ Thoroughbreds. T-Brad Cox. Sales history: $230,000 ylr '21 FTKJUL. Lifetime Record: GSP, 5-2-2-0, $455,450. Last Start: 2nd in the Silverbulletday S. at Fair Grounds Jan. 21. Kentucky Oaks Points: 12. Next Start: GII Rachel Alexandra S., FG, Feb. 18

Can they beat Hoosier Philly in the Rachel Alexandra? If it's going to happen, the horse that will likely pull it off is Chop Chop. She started her career with two straight grass starts before losing by just a nose to Wonder Wheel in the GI Darley Alcibiades S. After finishing up the track as the betting favorite in the Juvenile Fillies, she finished second in the Silverbulletday, losing by a length to stablemate The Alys Look. Trainer Brad Cox takes the blinkers off for the Rachel Alexandra, where she'll need a good performance to remain among the top members of her division.

The post The TDN Kentucky Oaks Top 10 For Feb. 16 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

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Unbeaten Oscar Performance Filly ‘Ready’ Off the Bench

Ashbrook Farm and Upland Flats Racing's Red Carpet Ready picked up right where she left off Saturday, dominating Gulfstream's GIII Forward Gal S. to stay unbeaten and earn eight GI Kentucky Oaks qualifying points.

Belying almost 37-1 odds when she aired in the Churchill slop first out Oct. 30, the dark bay handled the next step with aplomb, taking the Nov. 26 Fern Creek S. by daylight over a next-out allowance winner back under the Twin Spires.

Off as the narrow second choice behind multiple local stakes winner Atomically–last seen finishing seventh in the GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies–Red Carpet Ready broke on top but was reined in by Luis Saez to stalk in a close-up third. She mounted her three-deep challenge and took over rapidly into a :45.98 half, but had Chad Brown-trained debut romper Undervalued Asset breathing down her neck as they straightened for home. Red Carpet Ready slammed the door on her pursuer as soon as Saez asked her for more, and she strode out nicely from there to prevail with room to spare. Undervalued Asset held off Atomically for second.

“I had a pretty good trip,” Saez said. “She broke from there running and she's pretty fast. We just tried to have a target in front and eveything came out so perfect. She's a pretty nice filly. She has everything. She can run from anywhere, in front or behind, and she keeps going.”

Trainer Rusty Arnold said, “She's answered the bell every time we've run her. She's pretty special… I'd be shocked if she doesn't go long. I was more worried that she wasn't a sprinter… Luis said she wanted to break so sharp, she her lost her footing a little bit, but after she recovered, she did everything right.”

Ashbrook Farm patriarch Glenn Bromagen passed away in June. His son Bo manages stable operations. Past standout fillies conditioned by Arnold for Ashbrook include 2016 GI Central Bank Ashland S. winner Weep No More (Mineshaft, $120,000 OBSMAR); and 2019 GI Belmont Oaks Invitational S. heroine Concrete Rose (Twirling Candy, $61,000 FTMMAY turned $1.95-million KEENOV '20 Topper).

Red Carpet Ready was bought back for $100,000 at last year's OBS April sale after breezing in :10 1/5.

Saturday, Gulfstream Park
FORWARD GAL S.-GIII, $125,000, Gulfstream, 2-4, 3yo, f, 7f, 1:23.54, ft.
1–RED CARPET READY, 120, f, 3, by Oscar Performance
                1st Dam: Wild Silk, by Street Sense
                2nd Dam: Spun Silk, by A.P. Indy
                3rd Dam: Spunoutacontrol, by Wild Again
1ST GRADED STAKES WIN. ($180,000 Ylg '21 FTSAUG;
$100,000 RNA 2yo '22 OBSAPR). O-Ashbrook Farm & Upland
Flats Racing; B-Lynn B. Schiff (KY); T-George R. Arnold, II; J-Luis
Saez. $74,400. Lifetime Record: 3-3-0-0, $265,470. Werk Nick
Rating: A++. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree.
Free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.
2–Undervalued Asset, 118, f, 3, Speightstown–Hard Headed
Temper, by Hard Spun. 1ST BLACK TYPE, 1ST GRADED BLACK
TYPE. ($150,000 Wlg '20 KEENOV). O-Klaravich Stables, Inc.;
B-Speightstown Syndicate & Cloyce C. Clark, Jr. (KY); T-Chad C.
Brown. $24,000.
3–Atomically, 120, f, 3, Girvin–Shesunbelievable, by
Uncaptured. 1ST GRADED BLACK TYPE. O-Eclipse
Thoroughbred Partners, Michael G. Bernard & Harry Colburn;
B-Tracy Pinchin & Michael Bernard (FL); T-Todd A. Pletcher.
$12,000.
Margins: 2 1/4, 1, 7 3/4. Odds: 2.30, 2.70, 2.20.
Also Ran: Positano Sunset, Apropos, Flakes, Twice as Sweet, Arella Star, Adeliese's Smile. Scratched: Lynx. Click for the Equibase.com chart or the TJCIS.com PPs. VIDEO, sponsored by TVG.

Pedigree Notes:

Red Carpet Ready is the second graded winner from the first crop of talented turfer Oscar Performance (Kitten's Joy). The Mill Ridge Farm inmate's other GSW, Andthewinneris, returned a winner himself last week in Sam Houston's Bob Bork Texas Turf Mile. Street Sense is the broodmare sire of a dozen graded/group winners worldwide. His one highest-level winner to date is Roaring Lion, by Oscar Performance's sire Kitten's Joy.

Red Carpet Ready is out of a half-sister to GISW sprinter Joking (Distorted Humor) and from the deep female family of Tale of the Cat, Fed Biz, et al.

Unraced Wild Silk, purchased for $70,000 at the 2017 Keeneland November Sale, has a 2-year-old full-sister and yearling full-brother. The filly was a $65,000 Fasig-Tipton Saratoga New York-bred sale acquisition by Deuce Greathouse's Pura Vida. Wild Silk is due this year to Not This Time.

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