12 SA    SA Oaks (GII) [KYO]

        $400.000                 3yoF             1 1/16m Dirt               122 lbs

The races get tougher, the purses get richer and we have a fine field of ten fillies set to go post-ward in the 2020 SA Oaks (GII) here in the sunshine of SoCal.  This main track battle will be at a mile and a sixteenth on the SA main track and it’s a deep and talented field.

I’m jumping on the bandwagon of Tell It Like It Is after that big win in the Devona Dale (GII).  She closed well to get home in quick time, and other than that muddy race at FG, she’s been lights out of late.  I look for more of the same in this one.  I’ll put Starship Viking in the second spot, off of that near miss in both of her last two stakes efforts.  She’s less than a length from two more wins… and may be the one here.  I’ll put Sin City Rainbow in the third spot despite the outside post position.  She was in the eight hole last time and still make a big move down the lane, so the extra distance could be her buddy.

It’s a big race with a lot on the line… let’s tune in!

Here’s The Field –

She seems to close in every race only to be a bit back of the big money, getting beat a length or less in her last four starts.  Same story when fourth beaten a length here in the Santa Ysabel (GII) last out.  Can she finally get that little bit extra and cash a big payday?

Broke maiden two back and was a tiring sixth at AQU in the May last out.  She is lightly raced and seems to have some talent, but this is going to be a tough spot to get the job done, especially with the added distance.

I thought she’d do better than she did in the fore-mentioned Santa Ysable (GII) where she was fifth only a length back.  She won the Suncoast at TAM prior to that effort and I think she still has the ability to get the job done with this group, if she can bring her best.

Looked like a world-beater taking the Devona Dale (GII) at GP and she’s won four of her last five so you know she’s on the bit right now.  Has a solid work over the track in preparation for today and she has to be feared.  A repeat puts her in a good spot.

Broke maiden then won the Pocahontas (GII) at CD then failed as the favorite on BC Day and it’s been a struggle ever since.  We know she has some real talent but was she a candle in the wind?  Let’s hope she turns it around here.

Graded races have not been her friend but she changes hands and the new barn goes right after the big prize.  She won nicely at FL to close out her 2yo season and has been away since that race in Oct.  She’s been working over the surface getting ready for this so they have a plan.

Broke maiden at GG last out in a DH race and now goes right after the big girls.  She will need everything she has and more to get into the fight here.  She does show some very sharp works, so maybe she’s up to it.

Talent talent talent.  She runs her eyes out, and was coming at them in the Busher at AQU last out.  Just missed in a nice stakes at TAM prior to that and seems to be a horse that is on the improve.  She gets a big chance from me.

Another filly with some real talent but needs to find a way to harness that speed a bit.  Tired in the Busher, same as that stakes at OP… state bred stakes here.  You get the idea, she needs to harness and fire and she could be a big big factor.

Was third in the Busher and beat some foes in that one.  She’s a heck of an $8.000 claim, any way you look at it.  Here’s another chance for her to make a splash.  If she repeats that last out race and can overcome the post, she may be the one.

Categories: Grade II, STAKES ARTICLES