Kentucky Oaks 2020 Report: Tonalist's Shape Defeats Spice Is Nice in Davona Dale

Tonalist’s Shape ran her record to 5-for-5 in a game front running win over highly regarded filly Spice Is Nice in the Davona Dale Stakes at Gulfstream Park on Saturday, Feb. 29. She now has 60 Kentucky Oaks 2020 points and is all but guaranteed a spot in the starting gate at Churchill Downs on the first Friday in May.

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

The next three Oaks points races take place this weekend, with each awarding 50 points to the winner.

Busher Invitational (3-7-20)

Lake Avenue & Maedean finished 1-2 in the Demoiselle (G2) late last year, and they meet again in this one mile spot. The former is the even money favorite with speed, and the latter packs a decent stretch kick.

Honeybee Stakes (3-7-20)

This race has upset potential. There is not much pace on paper and Ring Leader is probably the one to catch. Alta’s Award is improving and figures to stalk and pounce, and Motu and Turtle Trax will try to get involved late.

You can read the rest of this post at The Runaway Horse...

Tampa Bay Derby & Honeybee Stakes 2020 Video Picks

Check out my Tampa Bay Derby & Honeybee video analysis.

 
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Gotham Stakes + Busher 2020 Video Picks

Check out my Gotham Stakes & Busher Invitational 2020 video from the Big A.

San Felipe Stakes & Santa Ysabel Stakes 2020 Video Picks

Check out my San Felipe Stakes & Santa Ysabel Stakes 2020 video from Santa Anita Park.

Fountain of Youth Stakes 2020 Video Featuring Dennis' Moment

Check out my Davona Dale Stakes & Fountain of Youth Stakes 2020 video from Gulfstream Park.

 

Mine That Bird Derby 2020 Video Featuring Sir Rick

Check out my Sunland Park video featuring the Island Fashion Stakes & Mine That Bird Derby.

 

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

Please visit The Runaway Horse Sales page to purchase my daily Santa Anita picks. ​

Risen Star & Rachel Alexandra Stakes 2020 Video

My Derby & Oaks video series continues with the Rachel Alexandra Stakes & Risen Star Stakes from Fair Grounds.

 

Kentucky Oaks Report for 2-14-20 Featuring Venetian Harbor

Venetian Harbor jumped onto the Kentucky Oaks 2020 trail with an emphatic win in the Las Virgenes Stakes at Santa Anita Park on Saturday, Feb. 8.

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

The Rachel Alexandra Stakes (G2) at Grounds on Feb. 15 is the next Oaks points race, and it is a big one. Juvenile filly champ British Idiom returns to action, and it is the first 50 points race of the season, so it is basically and win and you’re in contest. British Idiom won all three of her starts in 2019, including the Alcibiades (G1) and Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies (G1). She is the deserving favorite at Fair Grounds on Saturday. 

Kentucky Oaks 2020 Points Race Recaps

Suncoast Stakes Recap (2-8-20) - Winner: Lucrezia ($13.80)
This race did not feel strong. Lucrezia attended the pace and scored comfortably, but the final number was nothing special. She won because she liked the Tampa Bay oval, was able to get forward early, and had the strong Centeno/Delacour team in her corner. She dominated this race by five lengths. My value underneath exotics contender Turtle Trax got past Motu late for the place. The latter was a bit disappointing in her first start of the year. Comical and Two Sixty were next, and Embossed, We the Clouds, Blame Debbie, and Miss Important. 

Las Virgenes Stakes (G2) Recap (2-8-20) - Winner: Venetian Harbor ($2.60)

How good is Venetian Harbor? I am really not sure, and we did not learn much in this spot. The impressive sprint maiden winner only faced four foes in this flat mile route test, and she cruised to a very easy early lead. It was game over after an opening quarter in 23.52. She was already six lengths in front at that point. Flavien Prat slowed things down in the middle, and Baffert trainees Stellar Sound and Gingham were within a length. Venetian Harbor opened up again in the stretch and was 9+ in front of Gingham at the end. She was geared down late. Gingham was 2+ in front of Stellar Sound. Big Blue Nation was far back in 4th and Cholula Lips was a distant last. 

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Kentucky Oaks Points Leaderboard (thru Las Virgenes 2-8-20)

34 Points: Bast

30 Points: British Idiom

20 Points: Finite

12 Points: Donna Veloce

10 Points: Harvey’s Lil Goil, Lake Avenue, Lazy Daisy, Lucrezia, Taraz, Tonalist’s Shape, Venetian Harbour, Wicked Whisper

6 Points: Motu, Perfect Alibi

———--

Jarrod Horak’s Fabulous Five Kentucky Oaks 2020 Contenders (2-14-20)

#1 - DONNA VELOCE - BC Juvenile Fillies (G1) and Starlet (G1) runner-up breezed half-mile at LRC Feb. 14.   

#2 - BRITISH IDIOM - Juvenile filly champ returns in Rachel Alexandra Stakes (G2) at FG Feb. 15.

#3 - BAST - Next start to be determined for current Oaks points leader. Last published work Jan. 18.   

#4 - TARAZ - Goes next in Honeybee (G3) at OP March 7. Breezed half-mile at OP Feb. 11. 
     
#5 - VENETIAN HARBOR - Debuts on list after very easy score in Las Virgenes (G2).

Article by Jarrod Horak

Please visit The Runaway Horse Sales page to purchase my daily Santa Anita picks. 

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...

Sam F. Davis Stakes 2020 Video Featuring Independence Hall

Check out my Suncoast Stakes & Sam F. Davis Stakes video below! 

Video by Jarrod Horak

Please visit The Runaway Horse Sales page to purchase my daily Santa Anita picks.

Kentucky Oaks 2020 Points Race Video Series (February 1-2)

Check out my Kentucky Oaks 2020 points race video for Feb. 1-2 below! 

Video by Jarrod Horak

Please visit The Runaway Horse Sales page to purchase my daily Santa Anita picks.

Kentucky Oaks 2020 Blog: Finite Captures Silverbulletday Stakes

Finite picked up ten more points to move into third place in the Kentucky Oaks 2020 points race standings. The overwhelming favorite earned her victory the hard way in the Silverbulletday Stakes at Fair Grounds on Saturday, Jan. 18.

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

The next three Oaks points races on the docket are the Forward Gal at Gulfstream Park (Feb. 1), the Martha Washington at Oaklawn Park (Feb. 1), and the Busanda at Aqueduct on Feb. 2.

Tonalist’s Shape is the overwhelming 1-2 favorite in the Forward Gal at seven panels and she drew perfectly outside. Taraz is the strong even money chalk in the Martha Washington, and she might jump on the Kentucky Derby 2020 trail if she wins impressively. Finally, the Busanda attracted seven fillies and Persisto looks like the one to catch.

Kentucky Oaks 2020 Points Race Recaps

Silverbulletday Stakes Recap (1-18-20) - Winner: Finite ($3.20)

Finite worked hard throughout in a tougher than expected neck victory. Ursula set the pace and His Glory tracked her. Finite sat in 3rd and went up to engage the early leader at the six furlong mark. His Glory was the first to crack and Portrait joined the chase outside, and the race was on in the stretch. Finite and Ursula battled in the lane and Portrait started to flatten out. Tempers Rising was on the scene late but when the smoke cleared, Finite was a neck to the good of Ursula, with Tempers Rising a head back in 3rd. Portrait was a length behind that one, and was followed by His Glory, Pass the Plate, She Can’t Sing, and Maga Suite. This was not a fast race and the top finishers will have to improve to compete with the top horses in this division.

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

Silverbulletday Stakes 2020 Video: Kentucky Oaks 2020 Points Race Series

Check out my Silverbulletday Stakes video from Fair Grounds for Saturday (1-18-20) below! This is a Kentucky Oaks 2020 points race. 

Video by Jarrod Horak

Please visit The Runaway Horse Sales page to purchase my daily Santa Anita picks.

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...

Santa Anita Park Report 2020 (January 1-5)

Santa Anita Recap for Wednesday (1-1-20)

Fast main track and firm turf course. Three front running winners on dirt (6f, 8f, 6f). The winning turf course running styles were a stalker sitting in 2nd at one mile, a pace prompter at one mile, an outside stalker sitting in 3rd at one mile, a stalker at 5.5 panels, and a stalker from the inside post at a mile and an eighth (rail at 10 feet).

Tiago Pereira booted home a pair. Richard Baltas saddled three turf route winners. Peter Miller saddled two winners.     

The Rainbow 6 pool was $191,479, and multiple winning tickets paid $6,819.48 each. There will be a jackpot carryover of $161,456 when live racing resumes on Friday, Jan. 3.

Joe Hernandez Stakes (G2) Recap (1-1-20) - Winner: Texas Wedge ($6.20)

Bay Musik was sent to the lead from the outside post, and surface switcher Captain Scotty chased him intently. Texas Wedge stalked from post 4 and was in tight between horses on the backstretch. Flavien Prat did not panic, and he rallied and surged to the lead in the stretch, and he scored by a bit less than a length. Double Touch got past Bay Musik very late to land the place. Blitzkrieg was along for 4th in a race he probably needed. Captain Scotty weakened to 5th, and was followed by Grinning Tiger, Tribalist, True Valour, Legends of War, and Carnivorous.   

Jan. 1 Claims: Race 5 - Love a Honeybadger ($25k, Brian Koriner), Nomizar ($25k, Hector Palma), Tapitha Bonita ($25k, Steve Miyadi). Race 7 - Winning Element ($40k, Andrew Lerner).

Horses To Watch:

Race 7 (Boogalute) - I thought Boogalute was the controlling speed, but he lost his early advantage after a bad start under Flavien Prat. He rallied for the show in a better than appears effort.

Race 10 (Southern King) - Musawaat beat Southern King by a 1/2 length in Sunday’s finale at Santa Anita, and trips made all the difference. The winner saved ground stalking the pace from the inside post, and the runner-up stalked wide throughout, and was pushed out in the stretch when Golden Birthday took a bad step. Southern King could have easily scored with a different trip.

SA Full Card Highlights for 1-1-20
SA 2 Shootin Money/Taco Waco Exacta (SA Best Bet #1, $9.50)
SA 3 Justinian/California Street Exacta ($10.50)
SA 4 Rip City/Drasario Exacta ($32.50), Trifecta ($32.45)
SA 6 Opus Won/Out of Balance/Courteous Trifecta ($58.85)
SA 8 TEXAS WEDGE ($6.20)
Double (races 8-9, $13.60)
SA 10 Musawaat/Southern King Exacta (SA Best Bet #2, $23.70)
Double (races 9-10, $36.60)
Pick 3 (races 8-10, $18.80)
AQU 7 INDEPENDENCE HALL ($2.20), Exacta ($2.40), Trifecta ($4.14), Trifecta ($2.60)

———--

Santa Anita Recap for Friday (1-3-20)

Fast main track and firm turf course. One front running winner at six furlongs on dirt. The winning turf course running styles were a stalker at a mile and an eighth, an outside midpack stalker at one mile, a dueling front runner at 5.5 panels, and a front runner at one mile (rail at 20 feet).

Ruben Fuentes booted home a pair.

The Rainbow 6 pool was $142,632 and multiple winning tickets paid $510.20 each. There will be a jackpot carryover of $194,110 when live racing resumes on Saturday, Jan. 4.

Jan. 3 Claims: Race 2 - Black Storm ($16k, Gary Stute), Roaring Fork ($16k, Peter Miller), Toothless Wonder ($16k, Sean McCarthy). Race 8 - Katsaros ($20k, Jeff Bonde).

SA Full Card Highlights for 1-3-20
SA 4 BELLAZANO (SA Best Bet #1, $6.80), Exacta ($8.00)
SA 5 Point Hope/Invincibella Exacta ($6.40)
Double (races 4-5, $15.40)
Pick 3 (races 4-6, $8.15)
SA 8 BUYBACK ($5.80)
Double (races 7-8, $12.20)
Pick 3 (races 6-8, $6.70)

———--

Santa Anita Recap for Saturday (1-4-20)

Fast main track and firm turf course. One front running winner at six furlongs on dirt (8f, 8.5f). The winning turf course running styles were two stalkers at 5.5 panels, a midpack stalker at one mile, a closer at one mile, and a last-to-first closer at nine furlongs.

Riding doubles for Flavien Prat, Joel Rosario, and Drayden Van Dyke. Training double for Bob Baffert.

The Rainbow 6 pool was $234,562 and multiple winning tickets paid $1,632,18 each. There will be a jackpot carryover of $247,811 when live racing resumes on Sunday, Jan. 5.

Sham Stakes (G3) Recap (1-4-20) - Winner: Authentic ($4.40)

Authentic was my top pick in my TRD video for Jan. 4, and he made short work of this field. He seized control early from the rail under Drayden Van Dyke, and he was clear throughout. He was green in the stretch but it did not matter in this spot. He won by more than seven lengths over stablemate Azul Coast. The latter had no speed and wants all the ground he can get. Zimba  Warrior held off Taishan for 3rd. Scoring was another 8+ back in 5th, and Uncaptured Hero stalked and retreated to last. This was only the second career start for Authentic, and he clearly has speed and talent. He needs to work on some things and we will find out if he is a legit Derby contender in the near future.

San Gabriel Stakes (G2) Recap (1-4-20) - Winner: Desert Stone ($16.20)

I have been a fan of Desert Stone for quite some time, and it was nice to see him return with a graded victory. He broke slow from the inside post, but that was nothing new. Meanwhile, Overdue controlled the pace but was outfinished. Majestic Eagle assumed a short lead in the lane but Cleopatra’s Strike was on the move, and Desert Stone started to get involved from the back of the pack. Cleopatra’s Strike was almost home free but Desert Stone had the outside momentum and surged late to score by a neck. Cleopatra was a solid 2nd as the chalk and Majestic Eagle held 3rd over Chosen Vessel. North County Guy, Overdue, and Acker trailed.

Jan. 4 Claims: Race 9 - Hot Sean ($40k, Mike Puype).

SA Full Card Highlights for 1-4-20
SA 1 BLUEGRASS SKY ($15.20), Exacta ($15.40), Trifecta ($38.15)
SA 2 PHAST PHAROAH ($4.00), Exacta ($6.70), Trifecta ($15.10)
Double (races 1-2, $37.00)
Double (races 2-3, $7.60)
Pick 3 (races 1-3, $22.65)
SA 4 Kakistocracy/Big City Bane Exacta ($21.10)
Pick 3 (races 2-4, $5.50)
SA 5 AUTHENTIC ($4.40)
Double (races 4-5, $9.60)
Pick 3 (races 3-5, $6.15)
SA Early Pick 4 (races 2-5, $15.00)
SA Early Pick 5 (races 1-5, $169.65)
Double (races 5-6, $12.40)
Pick 3 (races 4-6, $7.05)
Pick 3 (races 5-7, $36.50)
SA 8 DESERT STONE (SA Best Bet #1, $16.20), Exacta ($22.10), Trifecta ($31.65)
Double (races 7-8, $274.20)
Pick 3 (races 6-8, $175.70)
Double (races 8-9, $58.60)
Pick 3 (races 7-9, $160.80)
SA 10 AN EDDIE SURPRISE (SA Best Bet #3, $10.60), Exacta ($15.00)
Double (races 9-10, $33.20)
Pick 3 (races 8-10, $64.65)
SA Late Pick 4 (races 7-10, $936.30)
GP 8 SOUND MACHINE ($5.80)

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Santa Anita Recap for Sunday (1-5-20)

Fast main track and firm turf course. Two front running winners at one mile on dirt. The winning turf course running styles were a front runner at one mile, a closer at 5.5 panels, a stalker at 5.5 panels, and a stalker at one mile (rail at 10 feet).

Umberto Rispoli booted home a pair of turf route winners. Drayden Van Dyke and Bob Baffert teamed up for two wins.

The Rainbow 6 pool was $195,296 and multiple winning tickets paid $34,773.60 each. There will be a jackpot carryover of $292,520 when live racing resumes on Friday, Jan. 10.

Shanta 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.

Jan. 5 Claims: Race 3 - General Interest ($20k, Peter Miller), Midnight Special ($20k, Bob Hess Jr). Race 8 - Bird ($25k, Steve Knapp), Canadian Game ($25k, Andrew Lerner), Factorial ($25k, Doug O’Neill), Go for a Ride ($25k, Anna Meah).

SA Full Card Highlights for 1-5-20
SA 7 BAST ($3.20)
Double (races 7-8, $20.60)
GG 7 ROLINGA ($5.60)
GG 9 BEAR CHUM ($5.60)
GG Late Pick 4 (races 6-9, $95.95)

Article by Jarrod Horak

Please visit The Runaway Horse Sales page to purchase my daily Santa Anita picks.

Kentucky Oaks 2020 Blog: Bast Captures G1 Starlet

The Kentucky Oaks points race series for 2020 picked up steam with a pair of graded races on Dec. 7. Lake Avenue went all the way in the Demoiselle (G2), and Bast pulled off a wire job later that day at Los Alamitos in the Starlet (G1). Last week, Finite ran her winning streak to three in the Golden Rod (G2) at Churchill Downs. The Starlet was the final Oaks points race of the year. The next race on the docket is the Santa Ynez at Santa Anita Park on January 5. 

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

Kentucky Oaks 2020 Points Race Recaps

Golden Rod (G2) from Churchill Downs (11-30-19) - Winner: Finite ($3.60)

This dirt route at Churchill Downs was run in the slop. Bean and Lady Glamour battled on the pace, and strong favorite Finite sat in the right spot behind those two. Finite surged to the lead in the stretch and held off my 13-1 value top choice Motu. The latter made a sustained run from the outside post and was clearly second best in a strong effort. Lady Glamour was best of the rest in 3rd. She Can’t Sing was 4th, followed by Turtle Trax, His Glory, Bean, and Ivyetsu. 

Demoiselle (G2) from Aqueduct Racetrack (12-7-19) - Winner: Lake Avenue ($10.80)

Lake Avenue surprisingly controlled proceedings throughout from the outside post. She carved out the slowest fractions of the day on the main track, and just kept on going in an easy 4-length victory for Junior Alvarado and Bill Mott. The others really handed her the victory, and she was not the only wire-to-wire winner on the Cigar Mile Day program. The last five races on the main track were all captured in front running fashion. Slight betting favorite Maedean pounced from midpack and edged stalker Blame Debbie for the place, and presser Critical Value was another 1/2 length back in 4th. Water White was wide early from an outer post and ended up splitting the 10-horse field. My top choice Alandra was a flat 6th. I really thought she would get involved early, but she was just spinning her wheels and looked uncomfortable throughout. Glass Ceiling, Daphne Moon, Jara, and Miss Marissa completed the order of finish.   

Starlet (G1) from Los Alamitos (12-7-19) - Winner: Bast ($6.40)

This grade one route was contested over a good (sealed) main track. It looked like a match race on paper, and the two favorites put on a show. Bast drew post 2 and strong favorite Donna Veloce drew post 3, and that was key because Bast was able to make a short lead, and that slight edge propelled her to victory by a 1/2 length. Donna Veloce prompted the winner throughout but could never get past that one. She was at least twelve lengths in front of show finisher K P Dreamin. Gingham was 4th and Roadrunner’s Honor trailed. Before this event, Donna Veloce and Bast met in the BC Juvenile Fillies (G1), and both ran quality races that day. In just her second career start, Donna Veloce stalked, took the lead, and was run down late by likely 2-year-old filly champ British Idiom at Santa Anita on Nov. 1. Bast battled on the pace that day and tried hard throughout in a solid show finish (beaten less than two lengths).  

You can read the rest of this post at The Runaway Horse...

Kentucky Oaks 2020 Blog: BC Juvenile Fillies Recap

The Kentucky Oaks points race series for 2020 had it’s biggest stop year at Santa Anita Park on Friday, Nov. 1, and British Idiom locked up the Eclipse Award for top juvenile filly with a neck victory over Donna Veloce in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies (G1). The next two points races are both on November 30 (Demoiselle at AQU and Golden Rod at CD).

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

Kentucky Oaks 2020 Points Race Recaps

BC JUVENLE FILLIES - Winner: British Idiom ($7.40)

The pace did not play out quite as expected. It was contested, and I landed on Bast because I thought she would sit the right stalking trip behind fast fractions. I was not expecting her to be dueling on the lead with longshot Two Sixty and third choice Wicked Whisper. Donna Veloce sat in the garden spot behind the three dueling leaders, and she got first run and took over in the stretch under Flavien Prat. She only had one sprint prep under her belt and her lack of seasoning cost her the win. British Idiom was able to save ground behind the speed, and with two starts and a grade one route win on her resume, she was able to wear down Donna Veloce to prevail by a neck. Bast just kept on trying all the way to the wire and was about two lengths behind the top pair. This was a big effort to finish 3rd for Bob Baffert’s filly. Her two pace rivals faded badly, and the final results could have looked quite different if she was able to stalk the pace. Donna Veloce put in a very big effort in just her second lifetime start. She has plenty of upside. British Idiom will almost certainly get the top juvenile filly award. Perfect Alibi was 4th, followed by Wicked Whisper, Lazy Daisy, Comical, K P Dreamin, and Two Sixty. The final time was a slow 1:47.07 on the deep, tiring main track. 

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