Kentucky Oaks 2020 Blog: Bast takes Santa Ynez Stakes

The Kentucky Oaks 2020 points race series has a new leader. Thee-time grade one winner Bast began the new year in style with a solid victory in the Santa Ynez Stakes (G2) on Jan. 5.

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

The next points race is the $150,000 Silverbulletday Stakes (race 12) at Fair Grounds on Saturday, Jan. 18. Likely favorite Finite has captured her last three starts including the Golden Rod (G2) under the Twin Spires to end her juvenile campaign. She is strictly the one to beat for Steve Asmussen. Her main rival appears to be Portrait for trainer Brad Cox. She ran off the screen in her extended sprint maiden win at Ellis Park, and was last seen finishing 3rd in the Pocahontas (G2). His Glory has the speed to succeed for Tom Amoss, and Tempers Rising looks like the best closer in the field.

Kentucky Oaks 2020 Points Race Recaps

Santa Ynez Stakes (G2) Recap (1-5-20) - Winner: Bast ($3.20)

Bast towered over her rivals from a class standpoint, and she drew the perfect outside post in this extended sprint. Auberge and Golden Principal battled on the lead from the two inside posts, and Bast tracked them from the outside. Those three dominated throughout and Bast was able to wear down her two inexperienced stablemates to score by a bit less than two lengths. Auberge was second best and Golden Principal finished more than nine lengths in front of Orquidias Biz. K P Dreamin and Lovely Lilia trailed. This was a Kentucky Oaks 2020 points race and Bast is the new leader with 34 points.

You can read the rest of this post on my Kentucky Derby 2020 page...