Jockey Club Oaks – Grade III
AQU Race #2 1 3/8m InTurf Graded Stake
Purse $350.000 For Fillies Three Years Old

1 Ailin Royalty Stables Velazquez J R 122 —

This race contains six decent fillies who probably wouldn’t have looked out of place in a BC race and just maybe we will see one or more of them next year. This lightly raced filly took a while to break her maidens but did it nicely at WO and then went to the Matchmaker at grade three where she followed it up with a game neck win. A very nice effort in the DMR Oaks saw her place third under a length off the winner Fierce Competitor and in her last start she was an eye catching sixth in the First Lady. This is an improving filly who looks to be suited by this longer trip and for me looks a winning chance.

2 Love Mo Mentum Farm Curtis B 122 —

Broke her maiden early in the year and has put together some very good performances since. She went to the dirt to pick up the WO Oaks but came back to the turf for a win in the Wonder Where and then a super third in the QE II last time when she was beaten under a length by Mami who went on to run second in the BC Fillies and Mares. That last run says she can win this on form and she gets a great draw to sit just behind the speed and launch down the stretch.

3 Astoria Magic TwinTowersRacing Franco M 122 —

Just the one win to her name, she looks out of her depth on form, but form can mean very little these days and just maybe this longer trip could see her out run her efforts to date.

4 The Lady Of Sod Nakamura Stables Bejarano R 122 —

When she took the Edgewood I thought it may launch her after some promising runs before that but whilst she has run some very nice races since she has been unable to follow that up. A close fourth in the QE II last time puts her close to Love and I expect those two to be right in it again here. My nagging doubt is that she needs an off track to be at her best so if the rains comes I would be keen, if it stays away a place may be her best hope.

5 Flat Tact Mb Stables Lopez P 122 —

Normally a filly with two runs and a win over five furlongs on an off track would not be considered in a race like this but this filly hails from Mb Stables and we have seen many like this jump from maidens to stakes races successfully. Clearly the stable believes she is good enough and that should be enough for the rest of us to consider her.

6 Mind Trip Sheffler Stables Rosario J 122 —

Took the Sands Point last time in a career best effort from the wide gate so she will be looking for a repeat here. Coming from the back she won very nicely in an effort which left her fairly average previous form behind but she may have to rely on a similar pace here to repeat as it is likley she will go back again. A winning chance if the race engine works for her.

SUMMARY

This is a nice race, with some decent fillies as well as one from Mb that could be anything! If the track comes up wet then Lady Of The Sod may win but I will go for Ailin to beat Love should things stay dry. Six chances here though so go with what you like, no doubt there will be a photo finish and any of them could come out on top.

Categories: Grade III, STAKES ARTICLES