The road to Kentucky Oaks 2022 kicked off in Kentucky with the Pocahontas (G3) under the Twin Spires Sept. 18, and five other points races followed including the BC Juvenile Fillies (G1) at Del Mar on Friday, Nov. 5. Echo Zulu is the early leader of this division and will almost be certainly named 2-year-old filly champ after back-to-back G1 wins in the Frizette and BC Juvenile Fillies. There are two more Oaks points races this week and it is time to unveil my first Oaks 2022 Fabulous Five contenders. I will update this blog frequently in the coming weeks and months, and make sure to check out my Oaks points race video series as well.
Kentucky Oaks 2022 Prep Race News & Results
Ain’t Easy (Winner: G2 Chandelier)
Went from debut sprint winner to graded dirt route winner in a six-week stretch. She was expected to be one of the top contenders in the BC Juvenile Fillies but was injured preparing for that race. She underwent surgery for a small chip in her left front ankle and is expected to target the 2022 Oaks if all goes well.
Dream Lith (Winner: G2 Golden Rod)
My 8-1 value top choice Yuugiri set the pace and turned away strong favorite Sandstone, but she could not hold off late runner Dream Lith ($20.20). The latter was exiting a well-beaten 5th in the Alcibiades (G1), and adding blinkers in this spot did the trick. Yuugiri ended up a length behind the winner and 3+ in front of Sandstone. Famed checked in an even 4th from the rail for Brad Cox. The final time was 1:44.72. For comparison, Kentucky Jockey Club (G2) hero Smile Happy navigated the same distance one race later in 1:43.94.
Echo Zulu (Winner: G1 Frizette & G1 BC Juvenile Fillies)
Wrapped up the 2yo filly title with a very easy front running victory in the BC Juvenile Fillies, and she was just as impressive in the Frizette. She was just too quick for her rivals this year, and it will be interesting to see how she develops as we head into 2022.
Hidden Connection (Winner: G3 Pocahontas)
She dominated the Pocahontas Stakes but that was not a strong event. Many of the runners from that heat struggled in their subsequent starts, including Hidden Connection, a well-beaten 4th in the BC Juvenile Fillies.
Juju’s Map (Winner: G1 Alcibiades; 2nd in G1 BC Juvenile Fillies)
Stretched out to one mile and smartly graduated second time out at Ellis Park, and stalked from the inside post and kicked away in the Alcibiades. She gave futile chase to Echo Zulu in the BC Juvenile Fillies, but never gave up and outgamed Tarabi for the runner-up spot (Top 3 miles clear of Hidden Connection). She has strong Oaks influence A. P. Indy on the dam sire of her pedigree and that bodes well for her chances to get a mile and an eighth next year.
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Kentucky Oaks 2022 Points Race Results
Pocahontas (10-4-2-1) - Sep. 18 - Winner: Hidden Connection
Chandelier (10-4-2-1) - Oct. 1 - Winner: Ain’t Easy
Frizette (10-4-2-1) - Oct. 3 - Winner: Echo Zulu
Alcibiades (10-4-2-1) - Oct. 8 - Winner: Juju’s Map
BC Juvenile Fillies (20-8-4-2) - Nov. 5 - Winner: Echo Zulu
Golden Rod (10-4-2-1) - Nov. 27 - Winner: Dream Lith
Upcoming Oaks Points Races
Demoiselle (10-4-2-1) - Dec. 4
Starlet (10-4-2-1) - Dec. 4
Santa Ynez (10-4-2-1) - Jan. 9, 2022
Silverbulletday (10-4-2-1) - Jan. 22
Martha Washington (10-4-2-1) - Jan. 29
Busanda (10-4-2-1) - Jan. 30
Forward Gal (10-4-2-1) - Feb. 5
Suncoast (10-4-2-1) - Feb. 5
Las Virgenes (10-4-2-1) - Feb. 12
UAE Oaks (50-20-10-5) - Feb. 17
Rachel Alexandra (50-20-10-5) - Feb. 19
Honeybee (50-20-10-5) - Feb. 26
Cincinnati Trophy (10-4-2-1) - March 4
Davona Dale (50-20-10-5) - March 5
Busher (50-20-10-5) - March 12
Santa Ysabel (50-20-10-5) - March 13
FG Oaks (100-40-20-10) - March 26
Sunland Park Oaks (50-20-10-5) - March 26
GP Oaks (100-40-20-10) - April 2
Fantasy (100-40-20-10) - April 2
Bourbonette Oaks (50-20-10-5) - April 2
Beaumont (10-4-2-1) - April 8
Gazelle (100-40-20-10) - April 9
Ashland (100-40-20-10) - April 9
SA Oaks (100-40-20-10) - April 9
Kentucky Oaks Points Leaders (through 12-2-21)
30 Points: Echo Zulu
18 Points: Juju’s Map
12 Points: Hidden Connection
10 Points: Dream Lith, Ain’t Easy
5 Points: Mama Rina
4 Points: Tarabi, Gerrymander, Yuugiri, Distinctlypossible, Electric Ride
2 Points: Sandstone, Sequist, A Mo Reay, Goddess of Fire, Desert Dawn
1 Point: Magic Circle, Famed, Code for Success
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Jarrod Horak’s Fabulous Five Kentucky Oaks 2022 Contenders (12-2-21)
#1 - ECHO ZULU - Here is your 2YO filly champ. Her speed overwhelmed the competition this year. Let’s see if she continues to develop for Steve Asmussen.
#2 - JUJU’S MAP - G1 Alcibiades winner no match for Echo Zulu in G1 BC Juvenile Fillies. She remains a promising sort for Brad Cox.
#3 - NEST - Tempted show finisher goes next in G2 Demoiselle. She is bred to be any kind for Todd Pletcher.
#4 - TAP THE FAITH - Christophe Clement’s $1.25 million filly went last-to-first in 8f bow. She is a solid contender in Saturday’s Demoiselle.
#5 - COCKTAIL MOMENTS - Sure wowed ‘em late in her 7f bow at CD Nov. 27. From PP 11, she rolled home by 9+ for Ken McPeek. She should be stakes bound in the near future.
Article by Jarrod Horak (originally posted at The Runaway Horse website)
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