Juvenile filly champion British Idiom made her much anticipated 3-year-old bow in the Rachel Alexandra Stakes (G2) at Fair Grounds Feb. 15, but Finite stole the show and is the new Kentucky Oaks 2020 favorite and points leader.
Check out Today's Racing Digest for handicapping products, analysis, and more! Finite capture above courtesy of Today's Racing Digest.
The next Oaks points race is the Davona Dale at Gulfstream Park Feb. 29. Possible starters include Forward Gal (G3) winner Tonalist’s Shape, last year’s Demoiselle (G2) winner Lake Avenue, and Todd Pletcher’s romping debut winner Spice Is Nice.
There are some big changes to my top five Oaks fillies. Bast has been retired after soft tissue problem was detected in her right front ankle. In a sad turn of events, Taraz fractured her left front pastern in a workout at Oaklawn Park earlier this week, and had to be put down.
Kentucky Oaks 2020 Points Race Recaps
Rachel Alexandra Stakes (G2) Recap (2-15-20) - Winner: Finite ($7.40)
This was the most important Oaks prep so far. 50 points to the winner and the Fair Grounds road to the Oaks is frequently the right path. Two-year-old filly champ British Idiom started her sophomore campaign in this spot, but Finite stole her thunder. His Glory went straight to the front from the rail as expected, and Ursula was in chase mode after a less than ideal start. Finite sat a comfortable stalking trip from the outside post, and edged closer on the backstretch and around the far turn. She took the lead in the lane and widened her advantage to 4+ lengths when all was said and done. British Idiom did not have the smoothest trip in her first start in 3+ months. She bumped and steadied into the first turn, and was racing wide heading into the backstretch. She settled in sixth place and moved up outside in the stretch. She found her best stride in the lane and was pulling away from the rest in a solid runner-up finish. Swiss Skydiver held 3rd by a neck over Tempers Rising. Impeccable Style and His Glory were next, and Ursula was the distant trailer. The top two finishers will most likely meet again in the Fair Grounds Oaks on March 21.
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Kentucky Oaks Points Leaderboard (thru UAE Oaks 2-20-20)
70 Points: Finite
50 Points: British Idiom, Down On Da Bayou (UAE Oaks winner)
20 Points: Dubai Love (UAE Oaks runner-up)
12 Points: Donna Veloce
10 Points: Harvey’s Lil Goil, Lake Avenue, Lazy Daisy, Lucrezia, Serein, Swiss Skydiver, Tonalist’s Shape, Venetian Harbour, Wicked Whisper
7 Points: Tempers Rising
6 Points: Motu, Perfect Alibi
5 Points: Comical, Gingham
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Jarrod Horak’s Fabulous Five Kentucky Oaks 2020 Contenders (2-21-20)
#1 - DONNA VELOCE - BC Juvenile Fillies & Starlet runner-up worked 5f at LRC Feb. 20.
#2 - FINITE - Ran winning streak to five in Rachel Alexandra Stakes (G2).
#3 - BRITISH IDIOM - Rachel Alexandra Stakes (G2) runner-up finish was first loss.
#4 - VENETIAN HARBOR - Romped in last pair including Las Virgenes (G2).
#5 - HARVEY’S LIL GOIL - Daughter of American Pharoah was sharp in Busanda Feb. 2.
Article by Jarrod Horak
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