The FG Oaks – GII [KYO]
3/21/20
FG Race 11 1 1/16M – Dirt
Purse $400.000
Three Year Olds Fillies

Well a group of nine three year old fillies has been entered for this years edition of the grade two Fair Grounds Oaks and they will all be aiming for some points towards the Kentucky Oaks starting gate. Let’s take a look at the field.

1. Assertive (7-3-1-1 $139.800), trained by Mb Stables

First of the three horse contingent from Mb Stables right here and she is going to be making her first ever start on the dirt in here. She has been sprinting on the turf for every start of he career so it seems very odd to me that she is now routing on the dirt. Not sure how she stacks up.

2. Relax (8-7-0-0 $1959.000), trained by Mb Stables

Second in the field for Mb Stables here and this is the big filly. The Breeders Cup Juvenile Fillies winner and 2YO Filly of the year last season on the game. She is coming off of her lone defeat so it will be interesting to see if she can bounce back. She is the one to beat.

3. Precise Performance (7-4-0-1 $339.200), trained by Mb Stables

Final of the three horse string for Mb Stables this is another very good filly. She won the grade two Santa Ynez earlier this year and has been doing well in stakes races. I do not know if she wants to go this far because her best races have been sprinting. She has a chance.

4. Mercy (5-2-2-1 $243.850), trained by Smokey Stover

The only filly to ever beat Relax is this filly right here and she accomplished that in her last start which was the grade two Alexandra over this same track. She defeated her that day and if she can do it again in this race she will be the Oaks favorite. I need to see her beat Relax again but she is definitely one of the favorites.

5. Miss Tallmadge (9-2-0-3 $223.000), trained by John Henry

Ever since getting to the barn of John Henry this filly has not ran a lick and I have no clue why she hasn’t. She has been doing the same thing as before but she just does not show any interest in her races. Her only good race was sprinting so I think that the distance is the problem.

6. Beldame (3-1-0-1 $21.500), trained by D J C Racing Stables

Next runner in the field here and she will be coming into the race off of a third place finish in the Borderplex Stakes at Sunland. She ran decent that day but this is definitely feeding her to the wolves in this spot it looks to me. She would have to run a huge race to even have a chance in here.

7. Cream Soda (7-3-1-0 $147.320), trained by Greeko Holdem

Personally glad to see this filly in this spot as she has been beating me in those New Mexico bred stakes races she has been winning. She has shown she is the best in New Mexico so she has earned the chance to take these on. She will definitely have to run her career best to win here.

8. Ms Pea (5-2-1-0 $175.580), trained by Aer Stables

Now to this filly who will be coming into the race off of a fourth place finish in the grade two Las Virgenes at Santa Anita. She ran very good that day after opening up by two lengths early on and going quick. If she can at least sit a little off the pace I think she could make some noise.

9. Prime Illusion (6-2-2-1 $50.960), trained by Nakamura Stables

Final filly in the field here and she is coming into this race off of a win in first level allowance race here at Fair Grounds. She narrowly won that day but she did dig deep to get the win. She will have to improve a lot and overcome a terrible post to have any shot.

Summary

Obviously this race is another showdown between Relax and Mercy as they seem to definitely be the best two in the field at least to me. I have to give the edge over the champion Relax even though Mercy bear her last time. Good luck to all in the field.

2-4-3-8

Categories: STAKES ARTICLES