Road to Kentucky Oaks 2022 Report: Fabulous Five Oaks Contenders

Juvenile filly champ Echo Zulu finally made her highly anticipated sophomore bow in a Kentucky Oaks 2022 points race, but things did not quite go according to plan. She went to the early lead as expected in the FG Oaks (G2), but she failed to kick away like she did in all her races last year, and Hidden Connection almost got to her in a very tight win photo. Steve Asmussen’s filly needs to show much more if she expects to wire the field in the Kentucky Oaks (G1) on the first Friday in May.

Kentucky Oaks 2022 Points Race Results

FG Oaks (3-26-22) - Winner: Echo Zulu ($2.20)

Echo Zulu was a complete standout on paper due to her early speed and championship juvenile form. She grabbed the early lead as expected and was in control by a measured length for much of the running. She did not kick away turning for home and Hidden Connection stalked outside and came after the longtime leader. It got desperately close at the end and Echo Zulu just held by a nose. Hidden Connection was clearly second best and Favor stalked inside and was best of the rest in 3rd. Turnerloose, Sequist, and Bernabreezy also ran. The final time for 8.5f was 1:42.69. Echo Zulu did not perform to expectations in this spot. Perhaps she will be fitter and move forward in the Kentucky Oaks, but I would not want to take a short price on her after this effort.

Sunland Park Oaks (3-27-22) - Winner: Cleopatras Charge ($161.40) 

Manorelli was sent to the lead under Maldonado and she stayed clear for quite some time. The early leader started to get tired in the lane and bomber Cleopatras Charge rattled home from off the pace to score by a bit less than a length. Ali Alley got up for 2nd at 35-1 and Manorelli just missed holding the runner-up spot. Tyler’s Dream, Optionality, Cali, Miss Hard Knocks, Landslid, and Pumpkin Bread also ran. My top choice Queen of Thorns stumbled at the start and dumped rider Victor Espinoza. She was running loose without the rider and walked off after the race.   

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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

Demoiselle (10-4-2-1) - Dec. 4 - Winner: Nest

Starlet (10-4-2-1) - Dec. 4 - Winner: Eda

Untapable (10-4-2-1) - Dec. 26 - Winner: North County

Sant Ynez (10-4-2-1) - Jan. 8 - Winner: Under the Stars

Silverbulletday (10-4-2-1) - Jan. 22 - Winner: La Crete

Busanda (10-4-2-1) - Jan. 23 - Winner: Magic Circle

Martha Washington (10-4-2-1) - Jan. 29 - Winner: Secret Oath

Forward Gal (10-4-2-1) - Feb. 5 - Winner: Girl With a Dream

Las Virgenes (10-4-2-1) - Feb. 6 - Winner: Adare Manor

Suncoast (10-4-2-1) - Feb. 12 - Winner: Nest

UAE Oaks (50-20-10-5) - Feb. 17 - Winner: Shahama

Rachel Alexandra (50-20-10-5) - Feb. 19 - Winner: Turnerloose

Honeybee (50-20-10-5) - Feb. 26.- Winner: Secret Oath

Cincinnati Trophy (10-4-2-1) - March 5 - Winner: Bubble Rock

Davona Dale (50-20-10-5) - March 5 - Winner: Kathleen O.

Busher (50-20-10-5) - March 5 - Winner: Venti Valentine

Santa Ysabel (50-20-10-5) - March 6 - Winner: Eda

FG Oaks (100-40-20-10) - March 26 - Winner Echo Zulu

Sunland Park Oaks (50-20-10-5) - March 27 - Winner: Cleopatras Charge

Upcoming Oaks Points Races

GP Oaks (100-40-20-10) - April 2

Fantasy (100-40-20-10) - April 2

Bourbonette Oaks (50-20-10-5) - April 2

Ashland (100-40-20-10) - April 8

Gazelle (100-40-20-10) - April 9

SA Oaks (100-40-20-10) - April 9

Beaumont (10-4-2-1) - April 10

Top 35 Kentucky Oaks Points Leaders (through 4-1-22)

130 Points: Echo Zulu

60 Points: Turnerloose, Secret Oath

57 Points: Hidden Connection

54 Points: Venti Valentine

50 Points: Kathleen O., Shahama

23 Points: Magic Circle

22 Points: Goddess of Fire

21 Points: Shotgun Hottie

20 Points: Nest, Ain’t Easy, Favor, Classy Edition

18 Points: Juju’s Map

14 Points: Yuugiri, Awake At Midnyte

12 Points: Cocktail Moments

10 Points: Dream Lith, Bubble Rock, North County, Manorelli

9 Points: Radio Days

8 Points: Desert Dawn, Fannie and Freddie

5 Points: Sweet Dani, Free Like a Girl

4 Points: Marissa’s Lady, Cairo Memories, Optionality, Morning Matcha, Distinctlypossible, Queen of Thorns

2 Points: Sandstone, Sequist

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Jarrod Horak’s Fabulous Five Kentucky Oaks 2022 Contenders (4-1-22)   

#1 - NEST - Has not missed a beat since Suncoast win. The April 8 Ashland (G1) is her next assignment. 

#2 - SECRET OATH - Jumps on the Derby trail and takes on the boys in April 2 Arkansas Derby (G1).

#3 - ECHO ZULU - 2YO filly champ just held on in less than spectacular FG Oaks (G2) return.     

#4 - AIN’T EASY - Returned with okay 3rd in Santa Ysabel (G3). Has worked twice for April 9 SA Oaks (G2).

#5 - KATHLEEN O. - Late running Davona Dale (G2) winner in 3-for-3. She is the 4-5 chalk in GP Oaks (G2) on April 2.

Article by Jarrod Horak (originally published at The Runaway Horse on 4-1-22)

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