Handicapping: The 147th Kentucky Oaks

By Rick Francis —-

CHURCHILL DOWNS

Race 11) 1&1/8th Mile. Longines Kentucky Oaks Grade I. Purse $1,250,000 FOR FILLIES, THREE YEARS OLD
Post Time: ( 5:51)/ 4:51/ 3:51/ 2:51

6) Travel Column – caught in the final strides of the Grade 2 Rachel Alexandra, daughter of Frosted edged away to take the Fair Grounds. In each of those last two starts she’s been forwardly placed, however she can sit just off the pace of even mid-pack and has the closing kick to get it done as demonstrated by her G2 Golden Rod score as a juvenile.

5) Pass the Champagne – talk about caught in the final strides, that’s just what happened to this Flatter filly last out to this race’s favorite Malathaat. She’s another that sit anywhere and still be a win threat.

3) Clairiere – the Fair Grounds “Road to the Kentucky Oaks” series has proven over the years to be one of racing’s toughest “roads” and this year was no exception. Runner-up in the Golden Rod, this Curlin filly took the Grade 2 Rachel and was a tough second in their Oaks; don’t dismiss.

1) Pauline’s Pearl – her Fantasy win last out at Oaklawn was what you need to see from any race horse, wearing down an opponent.

10) Malathaat – though this daughter of Curlin is undefeated in her four career starts’ highlighted by her game win in the Ashland’ it’s hard to take a short price on her with this field’s quality; that and have never been impressed with winter racing in New York where she’s earned 3 of those 4 wins.

The field from the rail out:

1) Pauline’s Pearl (Asmussen/Santana)
2) Maracuja (Atras/Carmouche)
3) Clairiere (Asmussen/Gaffalione)
4) Crazy Beautiful (McPeek/Ortiz, J.)
5) Pass the Champagne (Weaver/Castellano)
6) Travel Column (Cox/Geroux)
7) Ava’s Grace (Diodoro/Cohen)
8) Moraz (McCarthy/Prat)
9) Coach (Cox/Saez)
10 Malathaat (Pletcher/Velazquez)
11) Will’s Secret (Stewart/Court)
12 Search Results (Brown/Ortiz, I.)
13) Competitive Speed (Gonzalez/Landeros)
14) Millefeuille (Mott/Rosario)