The 11th Running of the G3 RP Oaks
Sunday, September 25, 2022
RP Race #1 $200.000
3YO F 122 Lbs (plus penalties) 11/16
Track Record-1:41.21 (Sweep The Fire-2016)
Stakes Record-1:41.24 (Bay Of Indy-2021)
#1 Curlina (Arindel/E. Jaramillo): The only graded-winner in the field draws the rail in an attempt to get back to winner’s circle for the first time since March. Only one ITM finish in four starts since, but three of those were some of the most prestigous races in the division. She was 3rd and only beaten a length the last time she faced similar so expect her to relish seeing this company again.
#2 Minx (D J C Racing Stables/R.M. Hernandez): Good news is she has won three of seven starts this season. Bad news is those are her only ITM finishes. All of that has come against lesser; however, she is on a two-race winning streak after taking a $200.000 NY-bred stake. Not devoid of early foot, but she’ll probably need to navigate the traffic in front of her to show her best.
#3 Dauphin Island Dog (Smokey Stover/S. Elliott): Winner of four straight but got a different kind of trip in all four. Gets a crack at graded company for the first time and could not possibly enter with any more momentum. A winner of five races in eight starts, she brings her race with her. Not sure where she’ll be in the early stages but fully expect her to make her presence felt when the money is on the line.
#4 Kalthoff Repeater (Spankys Barn/L.J. Luzzi): She’s been snakebit more than a few times with five losses this season by less than a length each time. G1 Alabama was not one of those, but she should appreciate the slight drop in class and she’s run well at this distance twice in defeat. She’s been a very productive $10.000 claim and shouldn’t be overlooked here.
#5 Gazing Angie (Night Rider Stables/C. Kimes): Stakes-winning lass will take a second crack at routing in her third consecutive try at this G3 level. Her route debut didn’t go as planned as she set the very early tempo before retreating to be last of eight. Won consecutive sprints next before coming-up two lengths short in consecutive G3’s where she was 2nd and 5th, respectively. Don’t think she’s out of her depth at this level, but the trip is a bigger question mark.
#6 Sister Crespi (Nakamura Stables/R. Chirinos): Boubonette Oaks winner ran a bang-up 4th in G1 KYO and continued that good form in her first two starts this summer. While she didn’t win either, she was only beaten a combined length and a quarter. G1 Alabama appears to be a toss as filly was running too well for that non-effort to have been suspected. Figures to fare better here at a level she’s proven competitive.
Final Analysis: Much like the counterpart for the boys, we’ll take the hot hand and play it 3-1-6 in the G3 RP Oaks. Good luck to all of the connections!
Categories: STAKES ARTICLES
