Fair Grounds Oaks G2

1 1/16th on Dirt 3 year old fillies

Fair Grounds Race Course, New Orleans, LA

Little argument as to who will be the favorite when they go postward in the FG Oaks Saturday. Tranect from Acber Farms has run the same race twice in a row by winning the Starlet Stakes and the Alexandra Stakes in close to identical fashion. The three-year-old is close to $1,000.000 in earnings and is eyeballing a run in the KY Oaks in May. This renewal came up a tad light, making a threepeat look well within range. Neon Damascus from Mb Stables is one of three entrants sent out by the barn here and the most likely to upset the top pick. “Damascus” is drawn outside and will most likely take back and make one big run after a big try against the undefeated Monarchy in the Sunland Park Oaks where similar tactics were used. Stablemate Be Royal from Mb Stables should fall into a good trip in the second flight here and will be hoping for pace help from one or two of the lesser accomplished fillies. Smugglers Point from Williams9 would be the blowout longshot. Taken for under $20.000 and immediately put back on dirt, the filly responded with an easy win in a decent race. She has enough natural gas to be placed wherever the connections want in here and could easily take up the running if so desired. Stranger things have happened.

Of the rest:

Real Tactics also from Mb Stables draws the rail and will most likely have to gun for the lead to have a shot here. Depending on the tactics of others, that could be just as tough as trying to drop back and weave a path through traffic. Not an easy assignment today.

Starlit Venture from Mo Mentum Farm adds more drama here as she was taken from the top picks outfit off a $50.000 claim two starts back. The new connections put her right back on dirt where she came home well enough in a sprint. Back to two turns here and if she is able to reproduce her effort in the Alcibiades she could shock some onlookers here, especially her previous connections. Food for thought.

Midnight Hurricane from Aer Stables might be too low in my placement and worth adding to your exotics. The one for five is an instant throw out for most handicappers, but the last effort in Florida charts well for an upset chance in here. You have been warned.

Ontario Pharmacist also from Williams9 is the more accomplished of the barns two entrants but also has had two tough assignments within a couple weeks of each other and now comes back a touch early for my liking here. Certainly capable, but most likely tired.

Rotaloa from Martyparty has done little wrong in six lifetime starts but eyeballs a whole new crowd today and will need a monster effort to play ball here.

Randamie from Royalty Stables just broke her maiden at Turf Paradise and would be a total shock to the system.

-Trackman

Categories: Grade II, STAKES ARTICLES