The GP Oaks – Grade II [KYO]
GP Race #13 1 1/16m Dirt Graded Stake
Purse $250.000 For Fillies Three Years Old.

1 Houseofidentity Noblepark Husbands M J 122 —

After running second in the Sorrento on the main track this one headed to the turf to go for the BC Juvenile Fillies Turf. Her deep closing style resulted in a failed attempt, but she did manage third in the Natalma and had looked an unlucky loser at times. Back to the dirt this year she took the Castle Run on seasonal debut and then ran a fine closing second in the SUN Oaks. Her early pace has been her undoing in the past but this best draw for ages will see her staying closer than normal, and I think we could see a big effort from her today.

2 Melting Shadows Jokerjoes Rodriguez A R 122 —

After finishing last year with a grade three win and a very close second in the Demoiselle it has to be said she has been a bit disappointing in her first two starts of 2025. It may have been the mud that hindered her last time out, but she didn’t show up in the Martha’s Wish the time before that when uncharacteristically slow out of the gate. She has something to prove today or her KYO chances may be over.

3 Change The World Mb Stables Zayas E J 122 —

She hasn’t found success in her two forays into stakes racing so far but both times she has run well and is on the cusp of breaking through at this level. Very good in overnights and a strong worker, the stable knows how to win big races so will be looking for a way to find that extra length today. A likely pace setter, a lot may depend on how fast they go early on.

4 Give Up On Style Asgar Wilson E J 122 —

Her form is a little up and down and, as yet, she hasn’t shown enough on the track to be a factor here. A filly with a closing style she has only been out of sprints the once and that was when last in the Chandelier so her ability beyond the mile must be taken on trust. Her works have been OK though which is probably why she is getting this chance, and in an open race she cannot be written off completely.

5 Fire Chief Bigking Ortiz I Jr 122 —

Overnights, Stakes, turf or dirt the form of these horses clearly means little to the works engine as this one is working pretty much as good as anything despite some pretty average form. It has to be said she ran a very good race last time when only just caught in the Hercomesthebride Stakes and had Lady Of The Sod behind her so she may have found some improvement since being claimed from Team 7 Illusions at the end of last year. Her works say she is ready for another go and in a closely matched field for the most part she must have a top four chance.

6 Wyndham Aer Stables Silvera Ru 122 —

The stable that already has Credit Crime in the big one, they will look to put this one in the race too. A good winner of the Ruthless on seasonal debut from the front she then went back and made up a little bit of ground to be fifth in the Davona Dale last time. I am not sure she is anywhere near her stable mate, but she has a good record and is sure to be a factor in this race.

7 Scrumdiddlyumptious La Canada Racehorses Bridgmohan S X 122 —

After a decent effort in the Chandelier, she went back to overnights to build some experience and grow but was a little lack luster when returning to stakes company in the Honeybee last time. She is better than that last effort for sure but still may be a little short at this level. You can’t write her off but there looks a couple too good for her here.

8 Ride With An Edge Mb Stables Ortiz J L 122 —

Bought for $175.000 after a strong win in the Blue Norther Stakes, she got a horror draw in her first start for the new trainer and could only manage fourth in the Alexandra. That was still a good effort back on the main track for the first time since her debut and you can always expect horses from this yard to be contenders at this level. Certainly, a chance if improved from her last run.

9 The Lady Of Sod Nakamura Stables Elliott S 122 —

After a very good run in the SUN Oaks when third, I was surprised to see her back on the turf last time and in truth she was pretty disappointing to be a closing fourth on a surface that she seemed to prefer. She has had a busy start to the year, and I worry about this being a quickish turnaround but at her best she would certainly be one of the win chances here.

10 Quail Trot Wood Duck Stables Gaffalione T 122 —

After taking two of the big FL State-Bred stakes, there was only one way for her to go and that direction looked good when she was just beaten in a photo finish in the Santa Ynez. With that effort behind her I, had her on my short list for the KYO but she was found out a little in the Alexandra last time when weakening into fifth after stalking the speed. I am willing to write that last run off as she was just too good before that and with this wider draw today, she may go back a bit which could suit her better.

11 Luminous Gold Alydar Stables Rivera L R 122 —

Put up a huge effort in the BC Juvenile Fillies last year to be a hard running on second and it was no wonder that she made $500.000 in a private sale from Fractious when that stable looked to sell up. The new owner will be disappointed by her two efforts this year beating only four horses in her two runs and you have to start to wonder where the good filly she was has gone. A return to her BC run will see her go close but there are no signs that is going to happen.

12 Express Service D J C Racing Stables Corrales G 122 —

Draws the car park as she did in the Alexandra and that will make it hard for her to repeat her big effort in the Santa Ynez. There is no doubt that if luck and the race engine work in her favor that she is capable of winning this but that’s a gamble if you are looking to place your Disney Dollars on her.

SUMMARY

A very open contest with no real stand outs here in what should be a very competitive race. It is hard to pick a winner, but I have had Houseofidentity on my watch list for a while and with the draw today it may just be her best chance of a good win. There are eleven other chances though but if I had to pick a danger it would be Quail Trot.

Categories: Grade II, STAKES ARTICLES