Kentucky Oaks 2024 Recap Video

This horse racing video features a recap of the 2024 Kentucky Oaks.    

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Santa Ysabel Stakes 2024 Video Picks

This horse racing video features analysis of the Grade 3 Santa Ysabel Stakes on 3-9-24.    

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Road to Kentucky Oaks 2024 Report (2-19-24)

By Jarrod Horak

The Grade 2 Rachel Alexandra Stakes and Sunland Park Oaks were the latest road to Kentucky Oaks 2024 points races. In this article, I will look back at those races and update my “Fabulous 5” Oaks contenders. The UAE Oaks (Feb. 23) and Honeybee (Feb. 24) are the next Kentucky Oaks points races. 

Kentucky Oaks 2024 Points Race Recaps

Rachel Alexandra (2-17-14) 

Fractions – 24.37, 48.55, 1:13.05, 1:38.70, 1:45.28

Top 5 Finishers: Tarifa, Intricate, Perfect Shot, Alpine Princess, V V’s Dream

Tarifa got the right trip in this 1 1/16 miles affair in the slop. She stalked from the inside post behind Perfect Shot and Alpine Princess. She moved out in the stretch under Flavien Prat, and got the jump on closing favorite Intricate and scored by 2 3/4 lengths. My top choice Intricate was making her first start since winning the Golden Rod last fall, and she sat back in last and closed nicely in the lane to finish a clear second under Tyler Gaffalione. Perfect Shot was best of the rest in third. Tarifa picked up 50 points for winning this race and is all but assured a place in the Kentucky Oaks starting gate. The top finishers in this race will probably meet again in the FG Oaks on March 23.  

Read more at Today's Racing Digest 

Rachel Alexandra Stakes 2024 Analysis

 

By Jarrod Horak

The road to Kentucky Oaks 2024 continues at Fair Grounds Race Course on Saturday, February 17, and I have included Rachel Alexandra Stakes 2024 picks below. The Grade 2 event for 3-year-old fillies has a $300,000 purse and the seven entrants will be journeying 1 1/16 miles on the main track. The Rachel Alexandra is the 13th race on Feb. 17 and the top five finishers will earn Kentucky Oaks points (50-25-15-10-5). 

Rachel Alexandra Stakes 2024 Picks & Final Time Ratings

Tarifa stalked and romped in her extended sprint bow, and the runner-up was a next-out winner. She came up empty as the beaten favorite at one mile second time out. Brad Cox gave her some time off and she returned to win comfortably as the favorite from the outside post in a local optional-claiming route on Jan. 20. Flavien Prat is her new pilot and she figures to save ground stalking the pace. 

Read more at Today's Racing Digest 

Road to Kentucky Oaks 2024 Report (2-12-24)

 

By Jarrod Horak

The Suncoast and Las Virgenes Stakes were the latest road to Kentucky Oaks 2024 points races. In this article, I will look back at those races and update my “Fabulous 5” Oaks contenders. The UAE Oaks (Feb. 16), Rachel Alexandra (Feb. 17), and Sunland Oaks (Feb, 18) are the next Kentucky Oaks points races. 

In my last Kentucky Oaks update, I dropped Thorpedo Anna drops off my list due to no published works since her runner-up finish in the Golden Rod (G2) last November. She had her first workout of the year on Feb. 10 (3f in 37.80 at Fair Grounds). If she keeps up her regular morning activity, I can see her being ready for the FG Oaks on March 23. 

I also mentioned Ways and Means in my last Oaks report. Chad Brown’s filly has recovered from an ankle chip. She returned to the worktab on Feb. 4 (easy 3f in 38.80), and went 3f again in 37.60 on Feb. 11.  

Read more at Today's Racing Digest

Las Virgenes Stakes 2024 Analysis: Kentucky Oaks Points Race

 

By Jarrod Horak

The road to Kentucky Oaks 2024 continues at Santa Anita Park on Saturday, February 10, and I have included Las Virgenes Stakes 2024 picks below. The Grade 3 event for 3-year-old fillies has a $100,000 purse and the five entrants will be journeying one mile on the main track. The Las Virgenes is the 5th race on Feb. 10 and the top five finishers will earn Kentucky Oaks points (20-10-6-4-2). Horses trained by Bob Baffert are ineligible to earn Oaks points.  

Las Virgenes Stakes 2024 Picks & Final Time Ratings

Nothing Like You won her last three starts for Bob Baffert. She stretched out and wired the field by 6 1/2 lengths as the favorite in her maiden win, and turned back and just got up in the Desi Arnaz on Nov. 18. She stretched back out and controlled the pace from the inside post in a sharp 5 1/4 length tally in the Grade 2 Starlet last time. She should be in the hunt from the outset under her new rider Frankie Dettori. 

Read more at Today's Racing Digest

Suncoast Stakes 2024 Analysis: Kentucky Oaks 2024 Points Race

By Jarrod Horak

The road to Kentucky Oaks 2024 continues at Tampa Bay Downs on Saturday, February 10, and I have included Suncoast Stakes 2024 picks below. The non-graded event for 3-year-old fillies has a $150,000 purse and the six entrants will be journeying a mile and forty yards on the main track. The Suncoast Stakes is the 5th race on Feb. 10 and the top five finishers will earn Kentucky Oaks points (20-10-6-4-2). 

Suncoast Stakes 2024 Picks & Final Time Ratings

Whocouldaskformo was an even 3rd at 9-1 in her extended sprint bow at Aqueduct. She was less than even money in a special weight affair at this course and distance on Dec. 31, and she stalked and romped in that slow early/fast late event. Shug McGaughey is 7-for-14 at the current stand and this $450k Uncle Mo filly figures to save ground behind the speed. 

Read more at Today's Racing Digest

Road to Kentucky Oaks 2024 Report (2-5-24)

 

By Jarrod Horak

The Forward Gal and Martha Washington Stakes were the latest road to Kentucky Oaks 2024 points races. In this article, I will look back at those races and update my “Fabulous 5” Oaks contenders. The  Las Virgenes at Santa Anita was originally scheduled for Feb. 4, but rainy weather pushed that race back to Feb. 10.

In other Kentucky Oaks news, Thorpedo Anna drops off my list due to inactivity. Ken McPeek’s filly won her first two starts last year, and stretched out and landed the place in the Golden Rod (G2) when last seen in November. She has no published workouts since that race. 

Chad Brown’s highly regarded filly Ways and Means was sensational in her Saratoga bow last summer, and finished a troubled 2nd behind Brightwork when last seen in the Grade 1 Spinaway. She clipped heels in the latter race and chipped her right ankle. It looks like she has finally recovered after returning to the worktab on Feb. 4 (easy 3f in 38.80). I had every intention of putting her on my Oaks list last year but did not know when should would be returning. Her plans are unknown at this time. She probably needs up to five more works before targeting a race sometime in March at the earliest.  

Read more at Today's Racing Digest

Martha Washington Stakes 2024 Video Picks

This horse racing video features analysis of the Martha Washington Stakes on 2-3-24.  

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Forward Gal Stakes 2024 Video Picks

This horse racing video features analysis of the Forward Gal Stakes on 2-3-24.  

Check out more horse racing news at The Runaway Horse. 

Road to Kentucky Oaks 2024 Report (1-24-24)

 By Jarrod Horak

The Silverbulletday Stakes at Fair Grounds was the latest road to Kentucky Oaks 2024 points race, and West Omaha stalked the pace and rolled to a sharp win, and picked up 20 points for trainer Brad Cox. In this article, I will look back at the Silverbulletday and update my “Fabulous 5” Oaks contenders. 

In other Kentucky Oaks news, the Martha Washington Stakes at Oaklawn was supposed to be run on Jan. 27, but poor weather pushed that Oaks prep back a week to Feb. 3. The Forward Gal at Gulfstream Park is also scheduled for Feb. 3, and the Las Virgenes at Santa Anita will be run on Feb. 4. 

Kentucky Oaks 2024 Points Race Recaps

Silverbulletday Stakes at Fair Grounds (1-20-24)

Fractions – 24.63, 48.84, 1:13.70, 1:39.41, 1:43.80

Top 5 Finishers: West Omaha, Perfect Shot, Sistina Chapel, Miss Code West, Accommodate Eva

Six fillies competed in this Oaks prep at Fair Grounds. Accommodate Eva made the lead from post 2 and was pressured by Miss Code West. Perfect Shot stalked from the inside post and my top choice West Omaha stalked outside while out in the clear. West Omaha moved up under Luis Saez, and she struck the front, opened up by a length and a half, and widened in the lane to score by 5 lengths. Perfect Shot found her best stride in the lane and ended up a clear 2nd, and Sistina Chapel nipped Miss Code West for the show. Accommodate Eva weakened to 5th and Noriskit Nobiscuit trailed throughout. West Omaha has been on my Oaks list all along, and she continues to develop for Brad Cox. 

Read more at Today's Racing Digest

Silverbulletday Stakes 2024 Video Picks

This horse racing video features analysis of the Silverbulletday Stakes at Fair Grounds on 1-20-24. 

Check out my Kentucky Derby 2024 articles at Today's Racing Digest. 

Silverbulletday Stakes 2024 Analysis

 

By Jarrod Horak

The road to Kentucky Oaks 2024 continues at Fair Grounds on Saturday, January 20, and I have included Silverbulletday Stakes 2024 picks below. The non-graded event for 3-year-old fillies has a $150,000 purse and the eight entrants will be journeying a mile and seventy yards on the main track. The Silverbulletday is the 10th race on Jan. 20 and the top five finishers will earn Kentucky Oaks points (20-10-6-4-2). 

Silverbulletday Stakes 2024 Picks & Final Time Ratings

Perfect Shot finished an even 4th in her extended sprint bow, and was second best in a one-turn mile second time out. She stretched out around two turns on Nov. 25, and she chased the pace from an outer post and kicked away to graduate by 3 1/4 lengths. Shiloh’s Mistress, the runner-up from her last race, returned to break her maiden at Turfway Park on Jan. 10. This filly improved her speed ratings in all three starts under the Twin Spires, and Steve Asmussen’s $285k daughter of Gun Runner should be forwardly placed from the inside post under Joel Rosario. 

Miss Code West won all four starts at Remington Park. The Oklahoma-bred daughter of Code West captured a pair of state bred stakes races, and exits a romping victory in the mud in the Trapeze on Dec. 15. She should be all over the pace in her toughest career test.

Read more at Today's Racing Digest

Road to Kentucky Oaks 2024 Report (1-15-24)

 

By Jarrod Horak

This is my first road to Kentucky Oaks report for 2024, and I will return with another update at the end of the month. In this article, I will look back at the Santa Ynez (G3) and Busanda Stakes, and update my “Fabulous 5” Oaks contenders. The Silverbulletday at Fair Grounds on Jan. 20 is the next Kentucky Oaks prep, and the winner will receive 20 points. 

Kentucky Oaks 2024 Points Race Results

Grade 3 Santa Ynez (1-7-24) 

Fractions – 23.70, 46.55, 1:10.87, 1:23.89

Top 4 Finishers: Kopion, Don’t Bring Crazy, Tambo, Bossy Bruin Gal

Kopion was 20 cents on the dollar vs. three opponents in this extended sprint points race on the road to Kentucky Oaks 2024. The only horse on paper with a chance to upend the chalk was Tambo, but she stumbled badly at the start and lost all chance, and that left Kopion all alone on the lead. Richard Mandella’s Omaha Beach filly was on cruise control throughout under Flavien Prat, and she won by a very easy 5 3/4 lengths. Don’t Bring Crazy was clearly second best and Tambo was more than four lengths behind her. Bossy Bruin Gal brought up the rear. The final time was 1:23.89 and the winner is unbeaten and untested after two starts. 

Read more at Today's Racing Digest

Busanda Stakes 2024 Video Picks

This horse racing video features analysis of the Busanda Stakes at Aqueduct on 1-13-24. 

Check out my Kentucky Derby 2024 articles at Today's Racing Digest. 

Busanda Stakes 2024 Analysis

 

By Jarrod Horak

The road to Kentucky Oaks 2024 continues at Aqueduct Racetrack on Saturday, January 13, and I have included Busanda Stakes 2024 picks below. The non-graded event for 3-year-old fillies has a $100,000 purse and the five entrants will be journeying 1 1/8 miles on the main track. The Busanda is the 6th race on Jan. 13 and the top five finishers will earn Kentucky Oaks points (20-10-6-4-2). 

Busanda Stakes 2024 Picks & Final Time Ratings

Gin Gin improved her Digest Final Time Ratings in her first three starts, and stubbed her toe at 13-1 odds in the Golden Rod (G2) on Nov. 25. Brad Cox’s filly figures to save ground stalking the pace, but the inside post has not been the place to be at this distance at the current Aqueduct meet. 

Shimmering Allure looked good rallying for the win in the local Tempted at one mile on Nov. 5. She rallied wide and landed the place behind front running favorite Life Talk in the Grade 2 Demoiselle in the mud on Dec. 2. She caught a speed favoring oval last time and ran a quality race. Ken McPeek’s Enticed filly might be the one to beat. 

Read more at Today's Racing Digest

Santa Ynez Stakes 2024 Video Picks

This horse racing video features analysis of the Santa Ynez Stakes at Santa Anita Park on 1-7-24. 

Check out my Kentucky Derby 2024 articles at Today's Racing Digest. 

Santa Ynez Stakes 2024 Analysis

 

By Jarrod Horak

The road to Kentucky Oaks 2024 continues at Santa Anita Park on Sunday, January 7, and I have included Santa Ynez 2024 picks below. The Grade 3 event for 3-year-old fillies has a $100,000 purse and the five entrants will be journeying seven panels on the main track. The Santa Ynez is the 8th race on Jan. 7 and the top five finishers will earn Kentucky Oaks points (10-5-3-2-1). 

Santa Ynez Stakes 2024 Picks & Final Time Ratings

Kopion was visually impressive at 30 cents on the dollar in her 6 1/2 furlong bow at Del Mar on Nov. 26. She stalked slow fractions and impressively kicked away in a 3 3/4 length victory under Flavien Prat. Richard Mandella’s $270k Omaha Beach filly has worked four times at Santa Anita since her debut including a nice drill on Dec. 25.

Tambo graduated in an $80k maiden claiming affair second time out, and she placed in her last two stakes starts. Nothing Like You nipped her by a nose in the Desi Arnaz at this trip last time and that Bob Baffert runner clicked right back in the Grade 2 Starlet at Los Alamitos Race Course on Dec. 9. Antonio Fresu sticks with Peter Eurton’s Enticed filly and she should be all over the pace. 

Read more at Today's Racing Digest

Kentucky Oaks 2024 End of Year Report

 

By Jarrod Horak

This is my final road to Kentucky Oaks 2024 report for 2023. I recapped the first seven points races in my initial Kentucky Oaks report at the end of November, and I will look back at the Demoiselle, Starlet, and Untapable Stakes in this article. 

Kentucky Oaks 2024 Points Race Results

Grade 2 Demoiselle (12-2-23) 

Fractions – 24.10, 48.65, 1:13.10, 1:38.12, 1:51.10

Top 5 Finishers: Life Talk, Shimmering Allure, Dolomite, Most of All, Caldwell Luvs Gold

Life Talk ran her race as the even money favorite. The muddy oval was speed favoring and Irad Ortiz Jr. put the chalk on the lead, and that was all she wrote. She was in command throughout and kicked away in the stretch to score by an easy 3 3/4 lengths. Shimmering Allure stalked wide and secured the place by a length over my 8-1 value to choice Dolomite. The latter is a promising NY-bred filly trained by Chad Brown, and she was 8+ lengths clear of the rest. 

Grade 2 Starlet (12-9-23) 

Fractions – 23.24, 47.40, 1:12.20, 1:37.46, 1:44.78

Top 5 Finishers: Nothing Like You, Flynn’s Chance, Chatalas, Great Forty Eight, Pacific Rose

I picked the wrong Bob Baffert runner in this race. I went with his sharp debut sprint winner Grazia, and she stalked wide and finished a distant last at 1.80-1 under Flavien Prat. Her stablemate Nothing Like You just went on with it from the inside post and scooted clear to win by 5 1/4 lengths under Juan Hernandez. Baffert trainees are ineligible to run in the 2024 Oaks and Derby, so Nothing Like You will have to move to another barn if they want her to compete on the first Friday in May. Great Forty Eight was clearly second best but was disqualified and placed 4th for causing interference in the stretch. 

Click here to read the rest of this article at Today's Racing Digest

Untapable Stakes 2023 Video Picks

This horse racing video features analysis of the Untapable Stakes on 12-23-23. 

Check out my Kentucky Derby 2024 articles at Today's Racing Digest.