Kentucky Oaks 2020 Report for 2-21-20 Featuring Finite

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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Kentucky Oaks 2020 Report for 2-7-20

Three more fillies picked up ten points on the road to Kentucky Oaks 2020 last weekend, and Harvey’s Lil Goil was probably the most visually impressive winner of the trio.

The next two Oaks points races on the docket are the Suncoast Stakes at Tampa Bay (Feb. 8) and the Las Virgenes at Santa Anita Park (also Feb. 8).

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

Golden Rod (G2) runner-up Motu and Demoiselle (G3) show finisher Blame Debbie are the two big names in the Suncoast, and a victory by either would hardly be a surprise. Motu has been part of my Oaks top five list for quite some time.

The Las Virgenes at Santa Anita Park attracted five horses, and it is probably a match race between Bob Baffert’s consistent, experienced filly Gingham, and flashy maiden sprint winner Venetian Harbor. The latter is 2-5 on the morning line. 

Kentucky Oaks 2020 Points Race Recaps

Forward Gal Stakes (G3) Recap (2-1-20) - Winner: Tonalist’s Shape ($2.60)

Tonalist’s Shape was a compete standout in the paper race. Not like she needed an edge, but the tactical filly drew the advantageous outside post in this extended sprint. This race was over before it started. Compensate carved out the fractions and Street of Dreams was in pursuit from 2nd. Tonalist’s Shape tracked outside and steadily moved up. She always looked like a winner and was completely wrapped up at the end. She scored by 3.75 lengths under Irad Ortiz Jr. Saffie Joseph Jr. was the winning conditioner, and he is certainly and up and coming trainer. Street of Dreams stayed on resolutely for the place. First time starter Nikki and Papa trailed early after ducking in at the start, and rallied for 3rd in an okay effort. Fujairah stalked and missed 3rd by a neck, and she was well clear of fading front runner Compensate. New Day Dawning was the distant trailer. This was a very slow race.

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