2015 Kentucky Oaks Preview

Party Crashers

#2 Shook Up (KY) – Has been a little quirky in some of her races, but in her last start she finished second to I’m a Chatterbox and galloped out well ahead of her. Perhaps that’s meaningless, but to me it shows a horse that will like this distance and is improving. Could be a stretch compared to the other two I have listed in this category, but might be worth a shot in a wide open race.

#4 Eskenformoney (KY) – It was a very consistent winter for her at Gulfstream Park as she won twice and came within just a few lengths of back-to-back Grade 2 victories. The bad news is she’s been beaten twice in a row by Birdatthewire. But the good news is Birdatthewire is one of my top picks and she wasn’t beaten badly in either race. I think she has the ability to sit off the pace and get the first jump at the speed horses. Will need some luck but has a shot to pull a big upset.

#10 Oceanwave (KY) – Here is a closer that I’m slightly intrigued with as she consistently has shown a nice turn of foot. I’m the first to admit that this years crop of Oaklawn fillies were very weak and the fact she never could win a race against them is very concerning. However, I do believe the added distance is what she needs. If the pace melts down in a big way she can pick up the pieces.

Throw Outs

#3 Include Betty (KY) – Probably should have been DQ’d in the Fantasy Stakes last time out, and even with a clean win this year’s running was not the strongest we’ve seen. Will try to fall back and make one big closing run at the end.

#6 Angela Renee (KY) – I’ve been very high on her at times in her career, but it’s been a long time since she’s won a race. Finished out her two-year-old year getting crushed in tough races, but has rebounded somewhat in 2015 even though she’s winless. Might just be a cut below the best horses in the crop.

#9 Money’soncharlotte (KY) – Been beaten pretty badly since stepping up in class and today looks to be more of the same as the waters keep getting deeper.

#11 Sarah Sis (KY) – Didn’t run well last time out, and has never ran a race that is up to this level. Might be better going a little shorter in distance. Seems like a stretch.

#14 Puca (KY) – Has been beaten by several of the other runners in here already. Seems like her lack of early speed is a real problem as she doesn’t have the turn of foot it takes to be a deep closer. Will get a solid pace set up in this one, but prefer other closers a bit more.

#15 Peace and War (FL) – She’s currently on the AE list so she’ll need some luck to even make the starting gate. Former Grade 1 winner has some intrigue but only has had one race off a long layoff and didn’t run well at all. Tough spot for her.