GIII – DEL Oaks

$300.000 Graded Stake at 1 1/16th Mile on the Dirt for Filly Three Year Olds

The Del Oaks is always a big race on the calendar for three year old fillies. This year features a field of five exciting fillies that will make for a great race. Headlining the field is Queenwood who is quickly becoming the most dominate horse in the three year old filly division.

1- Queenwood (Trained by Smokey Stover, Ridden by Centeno D E)

Coming into the Del Oaks, Queenwood has had a near perfect 2017 if you throw out the Kentucky Oaks which was run on a sloppy track. With that race thrown out she has gone 4 for 4 this year. Her most recent win was in the GI Acorn where she was able to beat out most of the field she struggled in the mud against in the KY Oaks. I would expect her to keep up her form and walk away with another victory and in doing so solidify herself as the top three year old dirt horse going into the rest of the summer.

2- Bold Deceiver (Trained by Mb Stables, Ridden by Talamo J)

The first of two entries from the barn of Mb Stables is Bold Deceiver. She has quickly moved up the ranks since breaking her maiden in November. Her first two stake races were both run on off tracks with good results, a first and third. It will be interesting to see her run against this type of company on a fast track. Wont be one to include on your tickets.

3- Forgotten Past (Trained by Mb Stables, Ridden Gallardo A A)

The second entry from Mb Stables has a little more experience running against top end horses and should fair better on Saturday afternoon. Her work in the morning has been getting better and better suggesting we may see the best yet out of this filly. She will likely set the pace early on and hope to hold off Queenwood coming down the stretch which is a tall task not many will win but has the talent to hold on for second.

4- Volterra (Trained by Alabarda Stable, Ridden by Prado E S)

A long shot winner in her most recent start, the GIII Selene at WO is Volterra. She is a fun filly to watch as she loves to fall way back out of the gate and can really turn on the jets headed down the lane. If she can catch a hot early pace she can be very dangerous. Unfortunately like the rest of the field they have to deal with Queenwood which is a tough task but Volterra should still be able to hit the board and bring home a nice check.

5- Secret Affair (Trained by TwinTowersRacing, Ridden by Hernandez J J)

Rounding out the field of five is Secret Affair. She is coming out of the same GI Acorn as Queenwood but with very different results. She struggled home to a last place finish after setting the early pace in the race. Before that she dead heated with Volterra in winning the GIII Selene. She should be able to bounce back with a better effort but will be in tough hitting the board.

My Selection: 1/3/4

Categories: Grade III, STAKES ARTICLES