Kentucky Oaks 2020 Blog: BC Juvenile Fillies Preview

The Kentucky Oaks points race series for 2020 got started with the Pocahontas (G2) Sept. 14, and was followed by the Chandelier (G1) Sept. 27, and I covered those races on my first Oaks blog Sept. 30. There were two more Oaks preps earlier this month. British Idiom was much the best in the Alcibiades (G1) at Keeneland, and Wicked Whisper controlled the pace in the Frizette (G1) at Belmont Park. The next points race is the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies (G1) at Santa Anita Nov. 1.

Check out Today's Racing Digest for handicapping products, analysis, and more! British Idiom capture above courtesy of Today's Racing Digest.

Kentucky Oaks 2020 Points Race Recaps

Alcibiades Recap (10-4-19) - Winner: British Idiom ($9.20)

The stalkers dominated this race. 64-1 outside Spitefulness set the pace and Sequin was in chase mode, but neither could stay the distance. British Idiom stalked those two, took over in the lane, and pulled well to to score by 6+ lengths under Javier Castellano. Perfect Alibi followed the winner throughout but could not keep pace with that one while well clear of the rest. Beaten favorite Alandra ran a deceptively good race. She lost all chance with a troubled beginning and was the only closer making any kind of a late run. She was near the back of the pack for the first half-mile, slowly began moving up, and made a long, sustained run to finish a clear 3rd. She went to the front in her debut and was expected to be close to the pace in this race, but had to change tactics after a bad beginning. Gone Glimmering stalked and got past Sequin for 4th, and they were followed by Three D Flag, Spitefulness, How Ironic, Micheline, Western Taffy, and Heir of Light. No doubt British Idiom was best, but Alandra is worth following and is not far behind that one on ability. Perfect Alibi had no excuses. The multiple graded sprint winner was unable to take advantage of her seasoning edge.

Frizette (G1) Recap (10-6-19) - Winner: Wicked Whisper ($7.90)

Wicked Whisper got loose again, and I have no idea how good she is. She did the same thing in her bow. At some point she will be challenged early, and we will learn more when that happens. At this stage, she is a quality one turn filly on the front end, and this was a suspect field. Joel Rosario was able to hustle the eventual winner to a clear advantage early, and she was never seriously threatened. Miss Marissa and Quality Response gave futile chase, and neither looked like strong contenders on numbers. Frank’s Rockette stalked outside and had every chance to make a race of it but was second best again. That’s three straight runner-up efforts in the graded ranks for the Bill Mott trainee, and she does not seem to be getting any better. Maiden Slam Dunk ended up 3rd, and she flattered Alandra if anything. Ice Princess passed tired rivals and was 4th, and my value top choice Daphne Moon stumbled at the start and never got involved. Miss Marissa and Quality Response trailed.

You can read the rest of this blog at The Runaway Horse...