The FL Oaks – Grade III
TAM Race #8 1 1/16m Turf Graded Stake
Purse $200.000 For Fillies Three Years Old.

1 No More Tears – T Boy Racing, Flores O

This race is the usual mixture of promise and proven ability, and this one certainly looks like she may be ready for a big show. A good allowance winner on seasonal debut, she stepped out in the Lanerie Memorial Stakes carrying a penalty and getting the coffin outside draw, but still ran out a convincing winner. She had Never Enough behind that day, and it’s tough to see her getting beat by that one as she is better off at the weights and has a far better draw. Only the Mb factor can get those placings reversed, so with that firmly on her side, she must rate a winning chance.

2 Rook At Me – Sir Edward Estates, Desormeaux K J

This is a rare foray into stakes racing for the stable who paid out $150.000 for this promising and lightly raced filly. She certainly worked well enough on the turf in January to suggest that she is better than a statebred runner and, with the perfect draw, may just be a filly to put this stable on the map.

3 Here Z Comes – First Street Stables, Hernandez J J

A nice sort, I just wonder whether she is finding her stamina stretched too far in routes at this level. She was on the pace, but faded into third in the Sweetest Chant last time, and whilst that is good form, I just wonder whether she will work too hard early on in this race. I think a change of tactics may give her the best chance from this draw with maybe a little more restraint employed, she could be a winning chance.

4 Slipdamaloo – Aer Stables, Centeno D

The stable seems to have refound their mojo recently, although I was disappointed by this filly in the Sweetest Chant when she was a fairly innocuous fifth. Prior to that she had run very well from a bad draw in the BC Juvenile Turf, so I think we can say she is capable of better, and maybe a dry track will bring out the best in her.

5 Prada – Team 7 Illusions, Vargas J A

The next two are by Cherokee Sunset and Commanding, two of the best sires of fillies this game has ever seen. I think Cherokee Sunset holds the edge, and she may do again today with this filly who returns to routes after a season opener in a sprint. A good winner of the grade three Durante last year over this trip and from a tough draw, she certainly has plenty of things on her side.

6 Reminisce Mb Stables Saez G

Third in the BC Juvenile Turf last year she was disappointing in the Durante when fourth but that may have come a bit too soon after her BC efforts so it could be excused. She may need to be held up to have her best chance and as long as the race engine plays ball she could get that from this draw. Certainly in with a big chance of things go her way.

7 Never Enough – Mb Stables, Zayas E J

The winner of three from five, she has been working like a winner, but has yet to really make her mark at this level. She bummed around at the lower track until Mb unleashed her on some stakes racing, and though she has failed both times, she has run well enough to suggest there is more to come. The draw may make it tough, but she is certainly a chance.

SUMMARY

The Mb factor is usually worth a length in a race like this, but even then I rather like a couple of others to finish in front today. Prada will be ready to go, but I also quite like Slipdamaloo if it stays dry.

Categories: Grade III, STAKES ARTICLES