The 18th Running of the G1 DMR Oaks
August 21, 2021 19:20
DMR Race #8 $300.000 11/8 Mile Turf
3YO Fillies 122 Lbs
Track Record-1:44.48 (Snippets-2009)
Stakes Record-1:45.34 (Funky Music-2011)
For the 18th time, 3yo fillies will head to west to compete in the $300.000 G1 DMR Oaks! This year, only five fillies have signed-on to see if they can attain G1 glory and capture the biggest portion of the 20 BC points on the line where the turf meets the surf. Interestingly, HRP has never seen the winner of this prestigous event go on to win the G1 BC Filly & Mare Turf. In fact, only Soliloquy (2009) has competed in the G1 DMR Oaks and won the G1 BC Filly & Mare Turf in the same year. Our Athletes (2015, 2017) is the only conditioner to win two editions while jockeys T.C. Baze (2006, 2011) and K.D. Desormeaux (2007, 2016) are the only pilots to guide multiple mounts to the winner’s circle. Casting Couch Cutie is the only G1 winner in the field and Amalfi is a multiple-graded winner herself; however, the rest of the five-horse field has only four wins between them. Will the two graded winners dominate or will someone catapult themselves into the ranks of BC contender? Here’s the field for the 2021 edition of the $300.000 G1 DMR Oaks:
1 Twisted Express (Mb Stables/E. Jaramillo 122): Rail horse hails from the powerful Mb Stables and is looking to keep her 2021 form in tact. Hasn’t missed the trifecta seven races this year and boasts six consecutive exacta finishes with two wins bookending four straight 2nd-place efforts. Just missed taking the G3 Soaring Softly at BEL in May, but this is still a considerable step up in class. With this draw and her ability to keep pace with sprinters, best chance may be to go as fast as she can for as long as she can. Excellent trifecta candidate and with the right trip, could be right there on the wire. Trainer’s Thoughts: When asked what the expectations were for his filly as well as what she had shown him to earn a start in this G1, Mb Stables replied, “She’s a very talented filly but she’s found a bit of a habit of coming in 2nd. On pure speed/ability she can hang with anyone but does she have the heart to take it in the end? I took a shot with her because of the field size,”
2 Amalfi (D J C Racing Stables/J.C. Ferrer 122): Already a graded winner on dirt, this gal made a winning turf debut last out in the G2 San Clemente on July 24. Will be interesting to see how D J C Racing Stables tackles this assignment as her best wins have come from close range, but she has shown the ability to be a bit further back and pass horses coming home. Have to think that she’ll be sitting on go from the two slot, but at least she has options if that is not part of the plan. That turf debut was a significant jump in terms of SRF numbers and another similar jump would make her a major player in this G1 event. Trainer’s Thoughts: Unavailable at press time.
3 Steppin Out (Mb Stables/Ru. Gonzalez 122): The second entrant for Mb Stables is also drawn well in the three hole. Only making the 2nd turf start of her career with the first being the career debut back in December. Conditioner has always seen something in her as she had three stakes starts (and two of those at the graded level) before she ever broke her maiden. This will be her 6th stakes try in her 8th career race, so, safe to say, she won’t be intimidated by anyone in here. That being said, she still needs to transfer her dirt form to the lawn and maybe even improve a few lengths to come home with something more than a minor award; however, anyone who tries to make money doubting this trainer will go home kicking rocks more often than not. Trainer’s Thoughts: “I’ve always had turf in the back of my mind with this one based on her earlier works but she was showing a lot of promise on dirt early and was a clearer trip from making the Oaks in the Gazelle. She’ll be happy to not be running against Top Billing who has finished 1 spot in front of her 3 out of her last 4 races. Obviously the turf is a question mark but her works tell me she should handle the surface. I hope she lives up to that promise. She could win or run last and neither would surprise me.”
4 Casting Couch Cutie (Arindel/Mario Gutierrez 122): The most accomplished runner in the field will break from post four and carry the silks of Arindel as she tries to win the 2nd G1 of her career. Will be making her 7th start in a graded turf race from nine tries this year and runs back on 13-days rest for this. If she handles the quick turnaround, appears to have this field over a barrel, but she is trying to break a three-race losing streak after trying males in the G1 Shoemaker Mile before competing in the first two legs of the Triple Tiara. So, while the back class is evident, she still has to get back on track and show that she is still the same filly that was able to handle graded foes in the G1 Natalma last October and the G3 Senorita in May. To take a quote from the futbol/soccer world, “form is temporary, class is forever.” Trainer Thoughts: When asked about the quick return and the pressure of being the only G1 winner in the field, Arindel had this to say, “I’m looking at this more as a spot to potentially get some BC points.. on the short rest and recent below average work, I’m not expecting her best. She’s run well in California and with the short field I thought it was a good chance to hit the board in a Grade 1 and likely cement herself a BC spot.. while it’s entirely possible that she doesn’t hit the board, it wouldn’t be a slight on her… would just be a mistake by me.”
5 Mighty Princess (Keikowin Racing/D. Van Dyke 122): Keikowin Racing entrant breaks from the outside of this quintet looking for the 2nd win of her career. The good news is she has never been worse than 2nd in four turf tries, the bad news is only one of those races was against winners. Appears to be the only “confirmed closer” in this group, but those types tend to need a couple different things to go their way to get the money. Running back three weeks since her last try, but has a very sharp mile workout from August 8 that says she should be primed for a big effort from a barn that doesn’t enter these lightly. Trainer Thoughts: When asked what his filly has shown him that says she is ready for this challenge, Keikowin Racing replied, “Well, I noticed the race was under subscribed and she had a terrific 135’1 workout, which I think fits in here, and as we know, fillys move up and down quickly, the added ground may help too.”
Final Analysis: While the short rest gives reason for pause, have to believe that Casting Couch Cutie wins if she fires her best shot; 4-2-1. Good luck to all of the participants and a big thank you to everyone who took the time to contribute to this preview.
Categories: STAKES ARTICLES
