Thoughts on this now that it’s the day? The fillies at least have been fairly formful. Paradise Woods looks strong, as does Farrell. I’m picking Farrell, but for a long shot with a chance, I like Vexacious.
By the way, American Cleopatra, American Pharoah’s little sister, is running in the race after.
Farrell likes the mud as does Daddys Lil Darling. I’m going with Darling to win it as she likes the Churchill track and she doesn’t mind the slop. I also like Miss Sky Warrior who is a gritty filly with a great record behind her. Tequilita is my favorite in the field but I think the slop might not play in her favor; watch out for her as the year progresses though.
I suspect for those tons of hunch play bettors, Tequilita will be a popular choice if only because its Cinco de Mayo.
She’s a homebred (by Union Rags) for Dorothy Matz. Some may know (aside from wife of Michael Matz) she is granddaughter of Robert Kleberg, former owner of the legendary King Ranch in Kingsville, Texas & also formally had huge landholdings in PA/DE. King Ranch raced the great Triple Crown winner - Assault.
Michael Matz said Tequilita is plenty fit but a bit needs to relax a bit.
I’d go with either Miss Sky Warrior or Abel Tasman (sentimental choice).
The sloppy track won’t be fun 
Some nice races and horses on the undercard 
Just watched the La Troienne and Allysheba Stakes… both won gate to wire (and NBCSN said that earlier races were also speed holding).
Hmmmmm…haven’t been following it much since my fav, UB bucked her shins or whatever.
Know I’ve been lazy but has Tequiita ever raced in the slop or is that a guess based on pedigree? If she’s really just foolish, she’ll wear herself out in the heavy going and the fact it’s friggen cold and breezy won’t help, neither will the dumb money hacking the odds because of the holiday.
But, dammit, I love DeDe and Mike can get a horse trained up… Heart or head here? Whaddaya think? A boxed exacta with head and heart?
While I’m not fond of most TV coverage by NBC*, what has been pretty cool so far is their on-track sound pick up.
You can hear the horses banging around in the gate and the splashing as they are running through the puddles on the track…
Thanks, I’ll tune in…
And for the moment not impressed with Churchill Downs and their NBC coverage (or lack thereof).
2 hour break in NBCSN’s coverage for a Premier League soccer game and it appears no other TV coverage allowed (including TVG). NBCSN will back in 20 minutes for the balance the Oaks card :mad:
Whoot-whoot!
Love the jocks in the Oaks with their pink breeches
Loved the stretch run and the win by my sentimental pick, Abel Tasman.
Looks like maybe the early pace burned out Paradise Wood and Miss Sky Warrior.
Legend has it the inside rides deeper in the slop at CD. So the two fillies setting down PDQ fractions 3/4 of the way way around right on the inside rail might have gone further on a drier track. Or not. But PW who was hugging the rail sure backed up hard turning for home and the other didn’t outlast her by much. First three finishers ran further out.
Who knows…
However, most of the earlier part of the card, speed was winning down the inside, many gate to wire and not running that wide.
Yes, the track was sloppy
Honestly congrats to trainer Simon Callaghan with Abel Tasman winning the Kentucky Oaks (Mike Smith up).
Sure Bob Baffert was the trainer of record now but only after the “fine” owners China Horse Club unceremoniously pulled her out of Callaghan’s barn [she went 3 wins in 5 starts for him] because he ran her in not their wrong silks in the Santa Ysabel Stakes where she finished 2nd. The Santa Anita Derby jocks room said they had the CHC silks on hand, but didn’t last minute so what could he do? For that he lost the horse on March 9th.
How did she do? can’t find link to results.
She finished 6th, I think. Apparently disliked the mud.
Curious if winners of the Oaks still try for the “filly triple crown” (Kentucky Oaks, Black-eyed Susan, & CC American Oaks) or if that’s not even a thing anymore?
I also vaguely remember something about the Acorn & Mother Goose being part of it at one time(maybe?), but don’t remember the details 
I don’t follow the individual filly/mare races much. I follow whichever filly/mare catches my eye instead. So haven’t really kept up with the many changes to the f/m races over the years.
Abel Tasman isn’t entered in the Black-eyed Susan to answer your question
Actually that’s what got me thinking… it seems like it’s not a big thing for the f/m’s.
“Yorkie-Poo Princess??”
Please! Who does this anymore?? <baffled>
I thought people stopped letting their toddlers name a racehorse, after that ‘over-indulgent’ owner let his toddler name that one racehorse: “Squirtle-Squirt” (if I was that kid - grown - I would KILL myself for the embarrassment.)
If I was the naming-father, I would have changed my name, and shipped that colt OUT the USA, ASAP!
It’s Yorkiepoo Princess 
I would agree on the name… is that the best they could come up with; I’d like to hear the backstory on how she got her name.
MP, the Black-eyed Susan is only a G2 so probably not as appealing if there is an alternative G1 to run in.
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