The chase all began back last September at CD when a bay filly by the name of Kaikoura ( Smokey Stover ) walked away winning the Gr. II Pocahontas. Since that affair, we have seen three year old fillies compete in a total of twenty eight races, all having an effect on how they will place in the KY Oaks standings. This is the final event leading up to the Oaks, and at present Dream Whisperer ( Mb Stables ) sits atop the standings with 110 points. Three candidates here at Oaklawn Park can possibly take the 100 points for a win here on Friday, and catapult them to the top of the list.
- The Fantasy Stakes ( KYO ) Purse $500.000
- Oaklawn Park- For Three Year old Fillies
- Mile and a sixteenth, Main Track
- April 12th, 2019
So who has the best chance at completing the victory for this race. Lets have a look at this field;
1. Queens Command ( Allinthegate ) Jockey Desormeaux K J– If we look back to the Gr.II Golden Rod, this filly finished just two one-hundreds of a second behind top class Dream Whisperer, and ahead of others she will face once again today. Has finished on the edge in both her two starts this season, but should be full of run down the stretch. In the hunt.
2. Bell Bottom Blues ( D J C Racing Stables ) Jockey Esquivel E – First of two for this trainer starting right next to one another out of the gate. After a runner-up finish in the $150 Gimma to one who has comeback and struggled in Graded company, she found herself testing the protective company and was cashing checks. Last time in the Gr. III Honeybee, she could never seem to adapt to the footing. Sunny skies for Friday so she could be more competitive.
3. Tauranga ( D J C Racing Stables ) Jockey Gallardo A A – Has been shifted through the barns of later, and under her new interest last time out, she managed a six of six finish in the $150 Suncoast. Would definitely like to see much strong SRF speed figures for this one to pick up interest, and she may have some say during the early fractions, but can she stay. Questionable.
4.Dissolve ( Mb Stables ) Jockey Gaffalione T– Trainer and rider team up once again for another affair. Has won two different mile and a sixteenth races in her career, but with three off tracks in her stakes hunt, she was unable to come away with the trophy. Needs to be stalking early to stay close, then battle on for the front in the late stages. Does her trainer have her ready?
5. A Girl Has No Name ( Gdp Inc ) Jockey Bridgmohan S X – Well a quick glance at this filly and most handicappers would say with just two starts and only coming off her Maiden victory, I don’t think so! Wait a minute, didn’t Totally Baroque and Chais Princess both win their first Graded title off Maidens last weekend? Not so fast my friends, trainer has definitely taken the time to prepare. Who knows?
6. Sin Of Misty ( Night Rider Stables ) Jockey Maragh Ro – Closed out last year and started this season with back to back victories against OpClm 40 and 45 company. Tried the $60 Queen Mother in her most recent, and stayed consistently second throughout that whole event. Seven furlongs seems like her distance, and she may be lacking in the stretch. Not likely.
7. Cardi B ( Gdp Inc ) Jockey Wilson E J – Second entry for this trainer, and one of three in here who can take the 100 pts and jump into first in KYO standings. Tried to control the pace in her most recent FG Oaks race, but was narrowly beat by a length at the wire to settle for third. Seems to be able to also come from behind, so will be interesting to see what tactic is used today.
8. Book Of Aggravation ( Estero Farms ) Jockey Talamo J – Has 34 KYO Points to-date, finishing in the top four of four different Stakes event. Finished just behind a runner in the Gr. II Alexandra who has been proving her worth being post time favorite in her last five starts. This one always puts forth her best effort time and time again, and can very well walk away with it all. Contender.
9. Kapalua ( Smokey Stover ) Jockey Alvarado J -Another lightly raced three year old with just three starts in her career, but has managed to get two victories. Broke her maiden two starts ago, then came back to capture an Alw43 event. Its a bit hard to judge this one on the fact that her mile and a sixteenth events were in the mud. A 1:36 and four work at PRX following her most recent is to be considered.
10. Viking Birthday ( Delta Farms ) Jockey Court J K – In three of her past four graded tries, she seems to fall to the very back of the pack, and when she does seem to light the fire under herself, closes just a bit too late. The switch to Court’s early riding style may keep her close, then letting her talent do the rest. Constant races and works here at this oval will also work in her favor.
11. Eye Test ( Estero Farms ) Jockey Canchari A L – After breaking her maiden over at Charles Town, she made the switch to AQU, and walked away with a win an a runner-up finish in two stakes events. The win came in the $100 Ruthless, then she stepped up to the Davona Dale race and finished eighth. Still working her way up the ladder, and will use this event to gain respect in the Stakes ranks.
12 Southern Two Step ( The Sidley Stud ) Jockey Ortiz I Jr – Out of all the twelve runners entered in this event, this bay filly is the only one to have claimed a Graded stakes title in her career. And not just any title, but the Gr. I Starlet against others who now sit in the top Ten. She would earn a 93 SRF figure in that event, and a 95 SRF number as the third place finisher in the GP Oaks. Hate the post, love the talent. Winner.
Also Eligibles – Three found their way to this list. Thought that Obvious Deception ( Nakamura Stables ) with her eight KYO points would have found some way into this event. Is continuously getting better and hope she finds a placing to win her next. That stables other entry of Scarlet And Gray broke her maiden two starts ago, then was impressive in a miler earning a 91 SRF. Finally High On Haggis ( Winning Links Stables ) found her two worse races were over off tracks. Races she tried to stay out front to avoid the facial mudpack, but faded in late stages. Watch for these three to make their mark next time out.
Categories: Grade III
