KY Oaks – Grade 1 – $1,250.000
CD – 1 1/8 Mile – Dirt
For Fillies Three Years Old
May 5, 2023
STAKES RECORD 2016 Wicked Heat 1:47.98
These fillies have been trading blows all year. The Alexandra saw Niagra Keys get to the finish first over Up She Flew and Untidy who finished second and third respectively. Five of these ladies lined up in the FG Oaks, with Shadow State coming home the winner just a neck ahead of Scarlett Dream. One Fine Dame and Muddy Buddy finished first in a dead heat in the Gazelle. To say these fillies are no strangers to each other would be an understatement.
Here’s the field:
1 Niagra Keys (Alydar Stables)
Broke her maiden in a dead heat at DMR in her second start, then immediately set her sights on the KY Oaks with a win in the $100.000 Untapable. After that, she showed she was for real with a win in the Alexandra Stakes (Grade 2) at FG. That was the third in a three-race winning streak that ended in her last out, the FG Oaks (Grade 2). In spite of that one blight on an otherwise remarkable career, this filly has to be taken seriously. All she needs is a clean trip and a little bit of racing luck.
2 Balius (Threshold)
Broke her maiden at WO last August in restricted company, then moved up to stakes level with a second in the Princess Elizabeth Stakes for CA-breds. Shortened up for the Shady Well but didn’t like the mud that day. Her best performance to date came in the SUN Oaks last out where she won from off the pace. Maybe not as strong as some of these.
3 Bay The Lady (Mb Stables)
Finished off the board once in ten starts. Comes in riding a two-race winning streak that includes the Grade 1 Ashland last out. She has done everything that has been asked of her so far. Hard to believe she was in for a tag earlier this year. Look for her to be on or near the pace early and don’t be surprised if she’s still there at the wire.
4 A Lot To Like (Riggins Racing)
This one has lived up to her name. Only two wins so far, one a maiden and the other in the AZ Juvenile Fillies in December. But she has finished within two total lengths in her last three starts. That was enough to get her in the gate for the KY Oaks, but she is going to have to bring her A game to compete with these.
5 One Fine Dame (D J C Racing Stables)
Won the Grade 3 Gazelle in a dead heat with Muddy Buddy last out, securing a place in the gate here. In four starts this year, she has never been worse than second and that was in the $100.000 Cicada two starts back. Gives it all she’s got every time she steps on a track. Likes to come from off the pace, so she will need a good trip.
6 Shadow State (Smokey Stover)
Making just her fifth career start here, but since her debut in December, she has been amazing. Broke her maiden first start and immediately moved up to stakes where she finished third in the Martha Washington. Next came a succession of two graded wins in the Honeybee and the FG Oaks. This girl is for real.
7 Untidy (Mb Stables)
Another one with a short career to this point with some impressive creds. Like Shadow State, she broke her maiden at first asking, then moved up to stakes and graded stakes. Last out she won the Grade 2 GP Oaks by a nose over La Roo, a filly she will face again here. Works are dynamite. Looks ready to run.
8 La Roo (Our Athletes)
Winner of the Santa Ysabel Stakes (Grade 3) two starts back, then just got nosed out by Untidy in the GP Oaks (Grade 2). Her path to the KY Oaks has been a bit rockier than some, but she has earned the right to be in the gate and could have a say in the outcome.
9 Muddy Buddy (Mb Stables)
Dead heat win with One Fine Dame in the Gazelle last out. Another one that didn’t have an easy trip here, Finishing well off the board in the Davona Dale (Grade 2) two back and third in the Las Virgenes (Grace 3) before that. Working well. Looks fit and ready.
10 Yow (Royalty Stables)
Winner of the $200.000 Busher and runner up in the Martha Washington. This one is making her graded stakes debut here which won’t be an easy task. Works aren’t as strong as some. Does her best running just off the pace or on the lead.
11 Scarlett Dreams (Arindel)
Beaten a neck in the FG Oaks (Grade 2) last start. Before that, she tried the boys but didn’t fare well. But when she runs against fillies, she’s remarkable. This filly has two Grade 1 wins – the Starlet and the Alcibiades. Look for a big effort from this one and a win wouldn’t be a surprise.
12 Snake Island (Night Mare Racing)
Won the Fantasy (Grade 3) last out and punched her ticket to the KY Oaks. Off the board only once in seven starts. Most of her stakes experience is in NY-bred company. After a seventh in the Alexandra (Grade 2), she got the job done in her second stakes start. Look for her to sit mid-pack and hope for a good trip.
13 Shining At Knight (Our Athletes)
Just a maiden win for this filly, but she managed to earn enough points to get here with a place and show finishes in the Silverbulletday, Santa Ysabel and FG Oaks. Will need a top effort to get a win here, but if works are any indication, she is ready to run.
14 Celine (D J C Racing Stables)
She picked up some KYO points all year, but her presence in the KY Oaks was anything but certain until she won the SA Oaks (Grade 2) in April. She’s had her ups and downs along the way, but she’s here and ready to compete. Will need a big effort and some racing luck.
Picks: 6-5-11
Categories: Grade I, STAKES ARTICLES
