Kentucky Oaks 2020 Blog: Bast Captures G1 Starlet

The Kentucky Oaks points race series for 2020 picked up steam with a pair of graded races on Dec. 7. Lake Avenue went all the way in the Demoiselle (G2), and Bast pulled off a wire job later that day at Los Alamitos in the Starlet (G1). Last week, Finite ran her winning streak to three in the Golden Rod (G2) at Churchill Downs. The Starlet was the final Oaks points race of the year. The next race on the docket is the Santa Ynez at Santa Anita Park on January 5. 

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Kentucky Oaks 2020 Points Race Recaps

Golden Rod (G2) from Churchill Downs (11-30-19) - Winner: Finite ($3.60)

This dirt route at Churchill Downs was run in the slop. Bean and Lady Glamour battled on the pace, and strong favorite Finite sat in the right spot behind those two. Finite surged to the lead in the stretch and held off my 13-1 value top choice Motu. The latter made a sustained run from the outside post and was clearly second best in a strong effort. Lady Glamour was best of the rest in 3rd. She Can’t Sing was 4th, followed by Turtle Trax, His Glory, Bean, and Ivyetsu. 

Demoiselle (G2) from Aqueduct Racetrack (12-7-19) - Winner: Lake Avenue ($10.80)

Lake Avenue surprisingly controlled proceedings throughout from the outside post. She carved out the slowest fractions of the day on the main track, and just kept on going in an easy 4-length victory for Junior Alvarado and Bill Mott. The others really handed her the victory, and she was not the only wire-to-wire winner on the Cigar Mile Day program. The last five races on the main track were all captured in front running fashion. Slight betting favorite Maedean pounced from midpack and edged stalker Blame Debbie for the place, and presser Critical Value was another 1/2 length back in 4th. Water White was wide early from an outer post and ended up splitting the 10-horse field. My top choice Alandra was a flat 6th. I really thought she would get involved early, but she was just spinning her wheels and looked uncomfortable throughout. Glass Ceiling, Daphne Moon, Jara, and Miss Marissa completed the order of finish.   

Starlet (G1) from Los Alamitos (12-7-19) - Winner: Bast ($6.40)

This grade one route was contested over a good (sealed) main track. It looked like a match race on paper, and the two favorites put on a show. Bast drew post 2 and strong favorite Donna Veloce drew post 3, and that was key because Bast was able to make a short lead, and that slight edge propelled her to victory by a 1/2 length. Donna Veloce prompted the winner throughout but could never get past that one. She was at least twelve lengths in front of show finisher K P Dreamin. Gingham was 4th and Roadrunner’s Honor trailed. Before this event, Donna Veloce and Bast met in the BC Juvenile Fillies (G1), and both ran quality races that day. In just her second career start, Donna Veloce stalked, took the lead, and was run down late by likely 2-year-old filly champ British Idiom at Santa Anita on Nov. 1. Bast battled on the pace that day and tried hard throughout in a solid show finish (beaten less than two lengths).  

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