3/20/21

 13  FG     FG Oaks (GII) [KYO]
       $400.000         3yoF       1 1/16m  Dirt       122lbs

The 3yo fillies will be the headed post-ward on Saturday afternoon and we look at the field for the 2021 FG Oaks (GII) [KYO], carrying a nice $400.000 purse and points towards a trip to Louisville in May. When it comes to the big prep races, I’m a chalk eater and I’m probably headed that way today as I’ll look for Hot Summer to get the job here today.  She just missed in the BC Juv Filly (GI) and has a ton of stakes experience and success. She looks tough…  Don’t sleep on Big Challenge here.  She only has a single win, but this one seems to be sitting on a big race and a big win… this would be a big stage to get that accomplished. 

There are a bunch of others with solid chances, but I’ll rest on this pair and see if we can cash a few tickets.

Here’s The Field –

Broke maiden at HOU in her second start then came back to just miss vs. Alw horses at SA going a flat mile.  I think she is a horse that will like the longer distances and this being her fourth start, she obviously has room to improve.  I’d give her a big look… this barn can be lethal. 

Broke maiden at GP last out, in her third start, and jumps right into the deep end of the pool here.  She was a tiring second going a mile-seventy, so the distance is a bit of a concern in my eye, as is the quick jump to top-end competition. 

Only one win in her eight starts but she has been close in a number of graded races, and was only beaten two lengths on BC Day, while fifth.  She has some ability and I think you have to give her a big look in this one today. 

Back-to-back wins with only three starts so the big barn goes for the acid bath today.  Both wins came at SA, breaking maiden vs Cal-breds then won a OptAlw race at six furlongs.  So, she stretches out looking for her first stakes win.  You have to feat this barn, each and every time.

Should be the chalk here today, although she didn’t do much in her last out effort over this track.  She was second in the BC Juv F (GI) missing by a nose and had the lead in the lane… she can run and I’ll write off that last out and look for her to bounce back today.

She comes into this in perfect fashion, winning both starts vs. PA-bred horses.  Broke maiden at first asking at PEN then won an Alw race at PRX going a flat mile, so she looks like the kind that wants to go two-turns.  Solid work over this track and she looks ready to go get ’em.

Only a single win but she has four other on-the-board efforts and some of those were vs. stakes company, so she seems to fit well.  This is her first try at graded horses, so she will need her best to get after these. 

When she’s right… she wins races Like the Frizette (GI) or the Starlet (GI).  But for some reason, she keeps changing hands.  She sold after her ninth place finish on BC Day and again after her last race, so it’s into a new barn and they go after an immediate return here.  Her best is pretty darned good.

Has a pair of wins but hasn’t raced with this type of competition.  She was fourth vs non-graded stakes horses, and I don’t think it will get any easier today.  She’s going to need her very best to get any part of the money.

Early Scratch

Two wins from this one but she has struggled when facing stakes company.  This barn doesn’t mess around so even though she may not show as much as some others, you always have to watch this outfit. 

Closed out 20 with a stakes win at TAM, but her two 21 starts have been up-the-track efforts.  Fifth at SA vs graded foes then sixth at OP in open stakes company, so she needs to find a bit more or it could be a long day.

COZMAN     5 / 3                   Willie’s Green Card  7 / 4

Categories: Grade II, STAKES ARTICLES