The FL Oaks – Grade 3
TAM – 1 1/16 mile – Turf
For Fillies Three Years Old
March 11, 2023
This race was originally run on dirt but moved over to turf in 2011 and has drawn some classy fillies ever since. This year is no exception. Whether you’re rooting for Even Flow to get back in the win column or hoping Poetic Panther or Sinister City can extend their win streak or hoping to see something special from one of the newcomers, this one is shaping up to be a good one.
Here’s the field:
1 Poetic Panther (Maletto)
Nice career so far for this filly. She comes in here riding a two-race win streak, having never finished worse than third in six starts. Last out she won the Sweet Life (Grade 3) at 6 ½ furlongs. She’ll have to go a lot further than that here. In her only start at this distance, she finished second after leading at every call. Look for her up front early and don’t be surprised if she’s still there at the wire.
2 Big Dumpling (Night Rider Stables)
Not much to say about this one. After losing first out by seventeen, she came back and finished nine behind the leader in her only other start. Now she’s trying graded company. I’ve been surprised before, but this one would be a shocker, especially considering the quality of this field.
3 Deaf Luna (Asgar)
Won her last start in the $60.000 Princess of Palms after a third-place performance in the BC Juvenile Turf Sprint. But that’s just it. She’s sprinted in all of her eight previous starts. Turned in a really nice work at WO, so she looks good for the distance. Remains to be seen just how good.
4 Sinister City (The Freakshow)
Another one riding high on a win streak – three in a row for this filly, including the Lady of Shamrock in her last start. Hasn’t been able to hit the board in graded company yet, but I wouldn’t count her out. Although she can go to the lead, look for her coming off the pace. A good trip could get her a piece of the purse.
5 Even Flow (Big Guns Stables)
Four wins in a row for this filly, including the Grade 3 Durant. Seems to have run into a wall in her last out, the Grade 3 Sweet Life. If she gets back to the form that got her the win in the Durant, she could be starting a new win streak here.
7 Spice Run (Alydar Stables)
Just a maiden win for this one. That came last out at SA in maiden special weight state-bred company. Distance is a question mark. She has never raced beyond 6 1/2 furlongs. But she has been working lights out at SA going a mile on turf. Horse for course or is she the real deal?
8 All The Way Up (South Beach Racing)
Another one with very limited experience, but she did manage to break her maiden last out at TAM. Distance is a very big question for this one. Could be too steep a step up.
Picks: 1-4-5
Categories: Grade III, STAKES ARTICLES
