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THE KENTUCKY OAKS - 2009
(FRIDAY)
The Kentucky Derby is the Run for the Roses,
but let us not forget about the lilies for the fillies! The winner
of the Kentucky Oaks on Friday will be draped in lilies. The
Kentucky Oaks is a very important Grade 1 event, and a Daily Double
Oaks/Derby wager will be offered. Breeder’s Cup Juvenile Fillies
winner Stardom Bound has defected from the field, but it still
promises to be an exciting event. Let’s take a look at the field!
#1 Tweeter- Miguel Mena will be in the irons for this
D. Wayne Lukas trainee. Lukas has won more Kentucky Oak’s than any
other trainer, and will have three different fillies in the race
this year. This one just broke her maiden and is very short on
experience. She looks to be a nice runner in the future, but they
are asking too much of her to win this prestigious race after only
winning a maiden event.
#2 Be Fair- This gal is also a Lukas runner. Ace
jockey Rafael Bejarano will be in the irons. She most recently faded
to finish 4th by 3 lengths in the Grade 1 Ashland after stalking the
pace. Her best race came second out at Oaklawn Park where she won
going a mile en route to a 90 BSF. She could hit the board at a nice
price, but finding the winners circle would be a tall order.
#3 Stone Legacy- This is the last racer from the Lukas
barn. She is long on experience, but short on talent. She enters the
race after a :59 4/5 first of twenty six five furlong move. She was
5th in the Grade 3 Bourbounette last out. I can’t see her doing too
much in this race. Lukas has a bad habit of entering his horses over
their head.
BETUS - THE BEST BONUSES AND MOST INNOVATIVE
BET OFFERS IN THE INDUSTRY!!
#4 Gabby’s Golden Gal- Surged to a powerful win last
out in the Sunland Oaks, going wire to wire. The winning margin was
a massive 13 lengths and her BSF was 86. That was the daughter of
Medaglia D’Oro’s first time on the natural dirt. Bob Baffert is one
of the best in the game with three-year-olds and if he thinks she is
ready to go, that’s all I need to know. She will have to step her
game up just a tad, but is not out of the question with Victor
Espinoza in the irons.
#5 Justwhistledixie- Julien Leparoux scored a hell of
a pick up when he was named the regular rider on this filly. She has
won five consecutive races and hasn’t really been touched. The
daughter of Dixie Union could be any kind when it comes down to it.
The pace scenario sets up for her, and she has already proved she
likes the distance. She will be the main rival to the favorite.
#6 Rachel Alexandra- What can I say about this filly?
If she were in the Kentucky Derby I would bet her without thinking
twice. That goes double for this race, but she will be too short of
a price here. The offspring of Medaglia D’Oro has earned a 100+ BSF
in three consecutive starts. She is one of only two runners in the
field to run a 100+ Beyer number. Her win in the Grade 2 Fantasy was
by 8 lengths and couldn’t have been any easier. She enters the race
after working a bullet :46 2/5 B for four furlongs. All systems go!
#7 Nan- I can forgive her last race when she finished
fifth in the Ashland because regular jock Corey Nakatani was not in
the irons. She has been running behind Stardom Bound most of the
year, and with a bit of luck she could find herself on the board
here. Don’t look for her to win, but she stands a shot to fill out
the trifecta or superfecta.
#8 Flying Spur- Garrett Gomez and Bill Mott; you have
to love that jockey/trainer combination! This girl was most recently
second to Rachel Alexandra in the Grade 2 Fantasy Stakes where she
earned a BSF of 100. The stretch out in distance can only help, as
she was making up ground on Rachel Alexandra late in the game last
out. The daughter of Giant’s Causeway is a threat to win.
1st- Rachel Alexandra (3/5)
2nd- Gabby’s Golden Goose (10-1)
3rd- Justwhistledixie (5/2)
Plays:
$5 OAKS/DERBY DOUBLE (6/5,6,10,11,12,15)
$10 EXACTA 6/4,8
$2 TRIFECTA 6/4,5,8/4,5,7,8
$2 SUPERFECTA 6/4,5,8/2,4,5,7,8/2,4,5,7,8
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