Fantasy Stakes Contender Spotlight: Venetian Harbor

HOT SPRINGS, AR – Ciaglia Racing, Highland Yard, River Oak Farm, and Dominic Savides’ Venetian Harbor will attempt to keep her stellar hot streak rolling Friday in the $400,000 Fantasy Stakes (G3) at Oaklawn Park.

Debuting on November 15 in a 5-furlong maiden special weight turf sprint at Del Mar, Venetian Harbor missed by less than a length, then switched to the dirt and romped by 10 3/4 lengths. Stretching out from that 6 1/2-furlong event to the two-turn, one-mile Las Virgenes Stakes (G2), Venetian Harbor was never asked for her best while routing the field by 9 1/4 lengths.

The Richard Baltas trainee was sent away as the betting favorite in each of her three starts and is likely to be given similar honors Friday. Flavien Prat is traveling east from southern California to ride Venetian Harbor, who has posted a pair of local works since arriving to Hot Springs earlier this month.

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The Fantasy is a Kentucky Oaks (G1) prep race awarding a total of 170 points to the top four finishers. The winner will receive 100 points, with 40 going to second, 20 to third, and 10 to fourth.

Here is the full field for the Fantasy (click on each horse’s name to read an exclusive preview):