Kentucky Oaks 2020 Top 5: Bast, Donna Veloce

The Kentucky Oaks points race series for 2020 is officially off and running. Lazy Daisy won the Pocahontas (G3) at Churchill Downs on Saturday, Sept. 14, and Bast captured the Chandelier Stakes (G1) for Bob Baffert at Santa Anita Park Sept. 27. The next points race is the Alcibaides (G1) at Keeneland Oct. 4, followed by Belmont’s Frizette (G1) Oct. 6.

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Kentucky Oaks 2020 Points Race Recaps

Pocahontas Recap (9-14-19) - Winner: Lazy Daisy ($16.40)

Serengeti Empress won this race by a mile last year. In the first Oaks points race, Lazy Daisy and His Glory basically battled from start to finish. In the end, it was California shipper Lazy Daisy prevailing by a hard fought length and a quarter. 43-1 longshot His Glory was clearly second best beaten favorite Portrait was miles best of the rest in 3rd. This was a very well-spaced field. Blood Curdling was 9+ back in 4th, and it was three more lengths to Morning Gold. Lotta Love was another five back in 6th place, and it was 12+ to Shadilee. The distant trailer was Addilyn. The winner completed her 8.5f journey in 1:44.89. If nothing else, she flattered runaway Del Mar Debutante (G1) winner Bast. For final time comparison, Dennis’ Moment traveled the same distance in the Iroquois (G3) in 1:43.58.

Chandelier Stakes (G1) Recap (9-27-19) - Winner: Bast ($2.40)

It was not easy but overwhelming favorite Bast got the job done, and I thought she ran well. The race shape completely changed after expected front runner Leucothea bobbled at the start and threw the rider. The pace really failed to develop after that, and Comical had a short advantage over Been Studying Her and Bast. There were three dirt routes on the day and this race by far had the slowest fractions (24.92, 49.54, and 1:13.98). Comical almost stole this one, but Bast pressed outside and got by the stubborn early runner to score by a neck. The top two were 3-lengths clear of K P Dreamin, and Been Studying Her was 15+ clear of Buyer’s Remorse. Bast remains my top ranked 2-year-old filly, and she looks like a solid threat in the BC Juvenile Fillies (G1).

Kentucky Oaks 2020 Points Leaderboard (after Chandelier)

1. Lazy Daisy - 10 points

1. Bast - 10 points

3. His Glory - 4 points

3. Comical - 4 points

5. Portrait - 2 points

5. K P Dreamin - 2 points

7. Blood Curdling - 1 point

7. Been Studying Her - 1 point

Jarrod Horak’s Fabulous Five Kentucky Oaks 2020 Contenders (9-29-19)

#1 - BAST - Early division leader after G1 wins in Del Mar Futurity and Chandelier.

#2 - DONNA VELOCE - Sensational in SA bow Sept. 28. The next Bellafina for Callaghan?

#3 - ALANDRA - Gritty 7f bow at SAR Sept. 1. Shug’s filly breezed at Belmont Sept. 28.

#4 - PERFECT ALIBI - Adirondack & Spinaway winner goes next in Alcibiades Oct. 4.

#5 - FRANK’S ROCKETTE - 2nd in Adirondack & Spinaway. Breezed at SAR Sept. 23.

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