Kentucky Oaks 2023 Sunland Park Oaks Replay | Flying Connection Leads Every Step In Kentucky Oaks Prep March 27, 2023 Coady Photography Kentucky Oaks 2023 Sunland Park Oaks Replay | Flying Connection Leads Every Step In Kentucky Oaks Prep March 27, 2023 By: Curtis "Magic" Kalleward twitteremail Share: share on facebook share on twitter share on linkedin email this article Flying Connection won the 2023 Sunland Park Oaks at Sunland Park. Is the Todd Fincher trainee a legitimate long shot contender for the 2023 Kentucky Oaks (G1) after earning 50 points with the win? Tell us YOUR thoughts in the Comments section! SMASH the *Thumbs Up* ~ HIT *Subscribe* ~ RING the *Notification* bellThe track press release:Sunland Park leading trainer Todd Fincher’s Flying Connection stamped herself a filly to watch for the Kentucky Oaks (G1) with a wire-to-wire romp in the Sunland Park Oaks (G3) Sunday in New Mexico.The daughter of Nyquist, ridden by Alfredo Juarez Jr., set a pressured pace early before opening a clear lead in the stretch and winning by 2 1/4 lengths from 19-1 longshot Love Tank.Don’t Get Pickled, the longest shot in the seven-horse field at 37-1, rallied from last for third, 6 1/2 lengths behind Love Tank.Flying Connection paid $4.60 after finishing the 1 1/16-mile race in 1:43.90 on a fast track.Favorite Doinitthehardway pressed a half length behind Flying Connection through an opening quarter mile in :22.89. The winner opened clear lead over that rival has the half went in :46.09 and six furlongs in 1:11.14, but Doinitthehardway had no rally when called upon and finished fifth while Love Tank was up from next to last to take second.Flying Connection, who entered off wire-to-wire 9 ¼-length romp in the Island Fashion Stakes Feb. 28 at Sunland Park, won for the fourth time in seven career starts. Sunday’s win marked her second from three starts this year.The Sunland Park Oaks is a Kentucky Oaks qualifying race, providing points on a 50-20-15-10-5 scale to the top five finishers. Fincher said after the race Flying Connection would go to the Louisville race if his filly emerges from Sunday’s effort in good order.Bred by in Kentucky by Liberty Road Stable, Flying Connection was produced by the Quiet American mare Free Flying Soul. She is campaigned by a partnership group that includes Brad King, Randy Andrews, Lee Lewis, and Jim Cone, who bought her for $250,000 at the 2021 Keeneland September yearling sale, where Gainesway consigned her.The $176,000 winner’s share of the Sunland Park Oaks’ $300,000 purse increased Flying Connection’s lifetime bankroll to $294,700. Join the Inner Circle Sign up for exclusive 10% discount on orders, plus be the first to access our daily free and premium horse racing picks, articles, podcasts, and more! Sign Up
College Football Week 11 and NFL Week 10 Picks | Dudes Who Bet Sports 214 Aaron & Papa Dude give their College Football picks for… Read More
Official Breeders’ Cup 2024 Picks | Blinkers Off 692 The Racing Dudes preview and give picks for the 41st… Read More
Jon White Breeders’ Cup 2024 Interview and Picks | Blinkers Off 691 The Racing Dudes interview Jon White, former Santa Anita, Del… Read More
Breeders’ Cup Classic and Football Picks | Dudes Who Bet Sports 213 Aaron & Papa Dude give their College Football picks for… Read More
Breeders’ Cup 2024 Pre-Entries Analysis | Blinkers Off 690 The Racing Dudes dive into the 2024 Breeders’ Cup pre-entries… Read More
Breeders’ Cup 2024 Top 5 Performances Aaron gives his Top 5 Breeders’ Cup performances from the… Read More
Who is the 2024 3-Year-Old Male of the Year? Aaron gives his thoughts on who should be the 2024… Read More
College Football Week 11 and NFL Week 10 Picks | Dudes Who Bet Sports 214 Aaron & Papa Dude give their College Football picks for… Read More