7/8/23
1 IND The IND Oaks (GIII) 
$200.000 3yoF 1 1/16m Dirt 120lbs +penalties
We are at that time of the year where every weekend bring a Derby/Oaks to you, and we head out to Indy, not for the 500 but their big weekend of Sophomore Surprises. A field of six will be parading for the IND Oaks (GIII) a mile and a sixteenth main track battle and I’m taking Up She Flew to get the job done today. Her only ’23 win was in the Las Vergenes, and that was for the prior owner. Still, she’s been close vs graded types in her last three and I think she can prove her worth today. Triple Decker is another that could be trouble if she runs her best. I love that effort in the Mazzerine (GIII) where she closed to be third vs. a nice group… maybe she bring some odds, as well. The Green Card has other ideas, which explains why this one is anyone’s to win!
Here’s The Field –
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Long Term Parking | TwinTowersRacing | Carmouche K | 120 | 10/1 |
Won an Alw race at SA back in Mar, showing good speed over a wet track, but the other three seasonal starts have been forgettable. She may be hoping for a big thunderstorm to get the track right where she wants it.
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Triple Decker | Maxmillion Farm | De La Cruz F | 120 | 5/1 |
Another that shows a single Alw win this season, and only beat a pair in the Santa Ynez (GII) to kick off her sophomore season. She did have a stakes win vs north of the border types last year, and has shown some promise vs. big horses, but she’s going to need her best today.
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Shadow State | Smokey Stover | Pedroza M Jr | 120 | 6/1 |
She’s had some very solid stakes scores this season, taking the Honeybee (GIII) at OP on a wet track, and the FG Oaks (GII) on a dry surface, but was eighth in the KY Oaks (GI) and tired to be fifth in the Acorn (GI)… her best would be brutal, but can she find that race in her.
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Up She Flew | Riggins Racing | Alvarado F T | 120 | 4/1 |
Was purchased after a poor race in the FG Oaks (GII) and has two nice races since the move… a second in the Black Eyed Susan (GII) and a third in the Santa Margarita (GII), so she could certainly be in the middle of this one… give her a serious chance.
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Alice Springs | London Racing | Prat F | 120 | 6/1 |
She won the Cincinnati Trophy after breaking maiden, but was fifth in the SA Oaks (GII) and fourth in the Black Eyed Susan (GII), so with only five starts, I think she has the ability to continue her climb up the ladder and could b e trouble today.
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Success | D J C Racing Stables | Beschizza A | 120 | 8/1 |
Broke maiden at FON then won an Alw race at PRX before that third vs NY-bred OptAlw types at BEL in her most recent. She will need to keep improving to take down a major part of this, so let’s see what game she brings.
COZMAN 4 / 2 Willie’s Green Card 5 / 3
Categories: Grade III, STAKES ARTICLES
