VA Oaks [KYO]
1 1/16 Mile Dirt Stake Purse $250.000 Filly 3 Year Olds.

1st Nicolette Alydar Stables Espinoza V

The stable knows how to get these closers to time their runs and though that didn’t work out in the Las Virgenes last time, today she got it spot on and took the race a shade comfortably by a length. She still had 7 horses to pass at the halfway mark but was very willing when asked to go about her business and in only her fourth start is beginning to look a bit special. Bred by the trainer, this one joins the impressive group of three-year-olds that will ensure a big season for them.

2nd Salty Heifer Mb Stables Franco M

Couldn’t get to the front straight away and that definitely blunted her finish as she was wide and pushing for the first half mile. Whether she truly gets this sort of trip or may be better back to sprinting only time will tell, but she has been placed in two good KYO qualifiers now and it wouldn’t surprise me with a better draw to see her in that field with a good chance.

3rd Empress Of Speed Riggins Racing Lopez P

Tried hard to find a spot from the wide gate but had to cover ground. In the end she may have felt that effort and was a shade one paced, but this was a solid run in only her fourth career start.

4th Love Affair TwinTowersRacing Geroux F

Finished well enough but had a lot of horses to pass in the stretch and could only manage fourth. Unlike the winner she got the timing wrong, but her day will come for sure.

Categories: STAKES ARTICLES, Ungraded