The CCA Oaks – Grade I

 SAR        Race #7            1 1/8m          Dirt            Graded Stake

Purse $500.00  For Fillies Three Years Old.

1. Three Sixes – Pan Farms

Race Form: Rock‑solid and consistent. Her last five starts all sit between 93–96, including a strong 3rd in the DEL Oaks (G3) where she stayed on late. She rarely runs poorly and handles 1 1/8 miles with ease.

Works: Her July works are sharp:

• 17 Jul SAR – 5f :58.3 (5/18)
• 9 Jul SAR – 1m 1:36.2 (2/4) These are serious conditioning moves, showing she’s holding top fitness.

Summary: Her biggest problem seems to have been her early pace something that was really brought to the fore in the KYO. In her last start in the DEL Oaks she was closer in the run but didn’t finish like she had before, something which we often see when a closer suddenly becomes a stalker. She will be vulnerable from this draw if she gets out paced early but if she can hold the rail and keep the leaders in her sights then she certainly has the ability to run very well. Her mile work on this track was very good for a three year old filly and whilst we cannot trust work times these days it does give us an indication that she could be very competitive today.

2. Pineapple Puff – Nakamura Stables

Race Form: Her Acorn (G1) second was elite — a 98 with strong pace presence. She also ran a huge race in the KY Oaks, leading early and holding on for a respectable finish. When she fires, she fires big.

Works: Outstanding recent drills:

• 13 Jul SAR – 6f 1:10.2 (1/39)
• 5 Jul SAR – 1m 1:36.3 (2/8) These are G1‑level works. She’s clearly primed.

Summary: A perfect draw for a leader/stalker she will be tough to beat if she gets to the front like she did in the Acorn last time. She very nearly won the KYO from a horrible draw and a similar effort from this much more favorable gate will make her hot property in the betting market. On bare form she has the beating of many of these and looks an obvious choice.

3. American Melody – TwinTowersRacing

Race Form: Her form is modest — mostly 87–89 figures in allowance company. She’s honest but hasn’t shown graded‑stakes ability yet.

Works: Solid but not spectacular:

• 3 Jul PRX – 5f :58.2 (4/36) Shows speed, but not the depth of conditioning seen in the top contenders.

Summary: Well I don’t know how many times I have written about horses from this stable and said their horses had no chance only to have to eat humble pie in the race review. So all I can say is that this ones form is nowhere near the best of these and it is tough to give her a winning chance on the evidence we see. BUT this is HRP and this is TTR and anything can happen!

4. Facts Of Love – Alydar Stables

Race Form: Strong upward cycle. The Black‑Eyed Susan (G2) win with a 96 is one of the best lines in the field. She follows that with a good 92 at Churchill.

Works: Very steady and professional:

• 16 Jul SAR – 1m 1:36.3 (1/2)
• 8 Jul SAR – 1m 1:37 (2/5) Long, stamina‑building works — exactly what you want for 1 1/8 miles.

Summary: She was really game in the Black Eyed Susan and if she is in the fight down the stretch it would be hard to beat her. I guess this draw will see her in a loose stalk, maybe midpack and she will need the race engine to give her a hoof up to get her in the fight at the right time but she certainly is a top three chance.

5. Real Tactics – Mb Stables

Race Form: One of the most consistent graded performers. The Summertime Oaks (G3) win with a 96 is top‑tier. She also owns a Gazelle (G3) win at this distance.

Works: Good, steady pattern:

• 21 Jul AQU – 6f 1:11.1 (4/44)
• 7 Jul LA – 6f 1:10.4 She’s fit, sharp, and holding form.

Summary: Well the stable just keeps on cherry picking these big prizes and they send the Summertime Oaks winner to this race as a live chance to carry on the domination. On form I would say she has a little to find to beat the best of these but that’s not normally something that stops the stable horses from winning.

6. Balance That Budget – Rock Creek

Race Form: Her Brabant Oaks win (94) and repeated 92–94 figures show she belongs. The KY Oaks effort was poor, but she rebounded nicely in the Summertime Oaks.

Works: Not flashy, but consistent:

• 10 Jul MNR – 1m (T) 1:36.2 (2/4) Shows stamina but not the same speed as the top workers.

Summary: She was impressive in the Bourbonete Oaks and then after disappointing in the KYO was only a length behind Real Tactics in the Summertime Oaks so isn’t far off them. She will need the perfect trip from this draw to have a top four chance but there is no doubt that at her best she can get something out of this run.

7. Undisputed Edge – Mb Stables

Race Form: Lightly raced but improving. The 92 in the Monmouth Girl is encouraging, though she lacks seasoning.

Works: Mixed:

• 18 Jul PRX – 6f 1:10.4 (6/42)
• 7 Jul MTH – 6f 1:10.3 (38/143) Fast but not as polished as the top fillies.

Summary: 4 runs, one maiden win on a muddy track, I guess under normal circumstances you would say this daughter of Walk Em Down has no chance. But lets start again, trained by Mb Stables and a strong third in her first stakes effort and naturally enough working like a stakes winner already, yes she will have a chance despite a lack of experience and a rotten draw. The rains would obviously give her her best chance but even without them it is tough not to see her running well.

8. Woman On The Moon – Arindel

Race Form: A proven G1 performer. The Acorn (G1) second and Gazelle (G3) win both came with 94–95 figures. She finishes strongly and handles 1 1/8 miles beautifully.

Works: Very sharp:

• 14 Jul SAR – 1m 1:36.3 (1/5)
• 5 Jul SAR – 6f 1:10.2 (1/20) These are elite works — she’s peaking.

Summary: Once a regular in the top races the stable thinned down their stable but still retains horses like this that can certainly be a factor in this race. She came home strongly to be a fine second in the Acorn last time so is right up there with the favorite and I guess the big question will be her running style and a wide gate. She will likely go wayyy back from the gate but if the pace is set up by the race engine for closers she may well be the best one and will get a clear run down the outside. It is as simple as the first split for her, if it’s a closers day and a strong pace she could well win.

SUMMARY

On paper it looks like Pineapple Puff will get an easy lead or stalk and should hold on from the closers. If someone clicks the gaming buttons and the race engine complies it could set up for a closer and the best of them may be Woman On The Moon.

Categories: Grade I, STAKES ARTICLES